Residents engage in local attractions in San Antonio while health officials issue a measles exposure alert.
San Antonio residents are urged to be vigilant after a visitor tested positive for measles, potentially exposing hundreds of thousands over the Valentine’s Day weekend. Health officials have identified the timeline of exposure at various local attractions and are stressing the importance of vaccination and symptom awareness as the community faces this public health concern.
As if Valentine’s Day wasn’t eventful enough, San Antonio is now on high alert as health officials announce hundreds of thousands of people might have been exposed to the measles virus over the holiday weekend. A visitor from Gaines County in West Texas tested positive for the contagious disease after some notable outings in our vibrant city!
On February 15, this visitor spent time at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. during their open house event. Not stopping there, the individual then explored some of our beloved downtown attractions, including The River Walk, with visits to Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Ripley’s Illusion Lab, and Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The day ended with a seafood dinner at Mr. Crabby’s Seafood and Bar in Live Oak from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
But that’s not all! Reports also indicate that on February 14, this individual might have infected others in Hays County before heading to San Antonio. The very next day, February 16, they made a stop at Buc-ee’s in New Braunfels. With all that activity, it’s easy to see just how many people could have crossed paths with this visitor.
Since late January, the state has seen 90 confirmed measles cases across seven counties, with a staggering 57 cases originating from Gaines County alone. Notably, the last report of measles in San Antonio was back in 2017. Despite a pretty good vaccination rate of around 94% for measles in the area—health officials stress that this should be higher to really protect our community from outbreaks.
You see, measles spreads easily through the air and can be incredibly contagious. If you’re unvaccinated and share a room with someone infected, you’ve got a 90% chance of catching it yourself!
Authorities have outlined the symptoms of measles that you should keep an eye out for, which include:
The most vulnerable individuals include pregnant women, babies, young children, and those with weakened immune systems. Therefore, staying informed and vigilant is crucial now more than ever.
Health officials are urging anyone who visited the mentioned locations during the times stated to keep a close watch for symptoms in the 4 to 21 days following potential exposure. Should any symptoms arise, it’s advised to reach out to a healthcare provider immediately.
If you’re unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, don’t wait! It’s best to seek out the MMR vaccine right away, as even one dose can provide a lifetime of protection against this virus. The community at UTSA has been informed about this potential exposure and is encouraged to monitor for symptoms and consider telemedicine consultations if necessary.
Public health officials from the Texas Department of State Health Services and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District are currently investigating these cases along with potential contacts. So let’s all keep our spirits up, stay safe, and remember that prevention starts with vaccination!
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