Person with measles at busy Texas airport may have infected others, officials say

A person with measles may have infected others at an airport in Austin, Texas, earlier this month, officials say.

A resident of Travis County infected with measles went to several area businesses — including restaurants, shops and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport — between Dec. 14 and 17, city officials said in a news release.

Health officials say they’re coordinating efforts to ensure anyone who may have been exposed is informed.

These are the dates and locations where people may have been exposed.

Dec. 14 (evening):

• Chipotle Mexican Grill, 6301 W Parmer Lane

Dec. 14 - 16:

• HEB, 6001 W Parmer Lane

Dec. 15:

• Saam Thai, 6301 W Parmer Lane

Dec. 15 - 16

• Mandola’s Italian, 4700 W Guadalupe Street

Dec. 16 (2-4p.m. CT):

• Target, 10107 Research Boulevard
• Marco’s Pizza, 11011 Research Boulevard

Dec. 17 (Noon-4 p.m. CT):

• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, 3600 Presidential Boulevard
  • United Airlines, gate area

People who’ve received two MMR vaccines are protected from contracting the disease, city officials say, but those who’ve only had one vaccine or none at all are still at risk.

If you have been to any of these locations and develop a fever before Jan. 1, officials say to call your doctor immediately before going in.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the Center for Disease Control says. Measles can spread before a person ever knows they’re infected and causes high fever, cough, runny nose and rash.

Twenty percent of people who get measles will be hospitalized, the CDC says. Of every 1,000 cases of measles, one to three people will die.

“Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease. A small number of cases are capable of quickly producing epidemics,” Dr. Mark Escott, medical director for Austin Public Health, said in the release. “The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases is by immunization.”

This story was originally published December 23, 2019 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Person with measles at busy Texas airport may have infected others, officials say."