Potential measles exposure reported in San Antonio amid growing Texas outbreak

San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is alerting the community about potential measles exposure from a recent visitor.

A person who came to San Antonio on Saturday, Feb. 15, tested positive for the highly contagious and potentially life-threatening disease, state health officials told Metro Health. The individual visited from Gaines County in Texas’s South Plains region, the center of a measles outbreak that’s now infected at least 90 people and led to 16 hospitalizations.

City officials said the visitor could have exposed others at the following places on Feb. 15:

• University of Texas at San Antonio Main Campus from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• The Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Ripley’s Illusion Lab along the River Walk from 2:30-5:30 p.m.
• Mr. Crabby’s Seafood and Bar (Live Oak) from 6-8 p.m.

Anyone at those locations at the same time as the individual or for up to two hours afterward should monitor for symptoms, according to the Metro Health officials.

The alert comes as the number of measles infections around Gaines County jumped to 93 last Friday from 10 two weeks earlier. The latest numbers prompted the Texas Department of State Health Services to warn “additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities.”

“Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious complications, especially in young children and individuals with weakened immune systems. If you think you may have been exposed or are showing symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider immediately” Metro Health Deputy Director, Dr. Anita Kurian said in a statement. “Individuals who have not been vaccinated are at greater risk of infection. We urge everyone to ensure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations to protect themselves and those around them.”

Although health officials declared measles eliminated in the U.S. two decades ago, it’s made a resurgence as anti-vaccine rhetoric has spread on social media and by right-wing public officials. The majority of measles cases reported this year occurred in people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Metro Health recommends those present at the San Antonio locations visited by the Gaines County visitor during the specified time window:

• Review immunization and medical records to check that they’re protected against measles. Those who haven’t had the measles vaccine or the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine should consult a healthcare provider about getting vaccinated.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, have an infant or have a weakened immune system, regardless of vaccination history.
• Monitor for symptoms such as fever or an unexplained rash from four to 21 days after possible exposure.
• If symptoms appear, stay home and avoid school, work, and large gatherings. Call a healthcare provider immediately, but do not enter a healthcare facility without first notifying them about potential measles exposure to avoid spreading the disease.

“Protecting our community from measles starts with staying informed and taking the necessary precautions,” Metro Health’s Kurian said. “We encourage everyone to review their vaccination status and seek medical advice if they suspect exposure. Early detection and vaccination are key to preventing the spread of this preventable disease.”

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This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2025.