Health officials warn of measles risk at Texas State, Twin Peaks Restaurant – KVUE.com
To stream KVUE on your phone, you need the KVUE app.Next up in 5Example video title will go here for this videoNext up in 5Example video title will go here for this videoSAN MARCOS, Texas — Health officials in Hays County are warning residents about a possible measles exposure after a person who tested positive for the illness visited San Marcos on Friday, Feb. 14.According to the Hays County Health Department, a Gaines County resident who tested positive for measles was in San Marcos from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. that Friday. People who were at Texas State University from approximately 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at Twin Peaks Restaurant from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles.According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the same individual also visited the University of Texas-San Antonio campus on Feb. 15, as well as several locations on the River Walk and Mr. Crabby’s Seafood in Live Oak. The next day, they stopped at the Buc-ee’s in New Braunfels.Matthew Gonzales, the Hays County Health Department’s manager, confirmed to KVUE that the infected person had been vaccinated.”They were vaccinated, one dose of the MMR vaccine,” Gonzales said. Serenity LaPointe is a freshman at Texas State and shared her concerns about measles.”Especially visiting my family, I might have to put [it] off if I do feel like I have symptoms,” LaPointe said. “I’m not very at risk, so I don’t worry for myself, but I do worry for others.”Individuals who may have been exposed will be notified by their local health authority, health officials said. The Hays County Health Department, the Texas Department of State Health Services and other local health agencies are working together to investigate potential contacts.“Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Texas is currently experiencing the largest outbreak of measles in decades,” Hays County Local Health Authority Dr. John Turner said. “Individuals who have not been vaccinated are at greater risk of infection. To minimize the risk of infection and serious illness, individuals should make sure they are vaccinated.”Ninety percent of people who are not vaccinated or have not had a previous measles infection will become infected with the virus.The health department will contact people who are known to have been in contact with the person who later tested positive for measles to provide guidance.Anyone with any symptoms is asked to contact their primary care provider, urgent care or an emergency room to set up an appointment and quarantine for four days after the onset of a rash.People who were in the possible exposure locations during the specified times should:“The Hays County Health Department is acting with haste to ensure the readiness and preparedness of partner agencies in response to this notification,” Hays County Judge Ruben Beccera said. “The county has taken great strides to improve our response to public health emergencies. I am confident that the department will be capable of minimizing the impact of a potential measles outbreak in our county. I will work with the [health] department and Office of Emergency Services to offer additional resources as needed.”Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for two hours, even after the infected person has left.The infected person can spread the disease up to four days before a measles rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears.If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses or mouths, they can become infected.Common symptoms for measles include:
