Kyle/Hays County, come on down!
Hays County: Kyle resident who tested positive for measles 'considered unvaccinated'
A Kyle resident who tested positive for measles was “considered unvaccinated,” after they could not provide proof of receiving a measles vaccine, Hays County officials said during a news conference Tuesday.
According to the Hays County Health Department (HCHD) this is the first case of measles confirmed in the county this year.
The news conference was held at 3 p.m. in San Marcos at the Hays County Government Center, according to the county. The conference was joined by HCHD Executive Director Matthew Gonzales and Epidemiologist Gabriella Guel.
HCHD was notified by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) of a potential measles case on Friday, May 16 after it was presented at Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle.
As of Friday, May 16, more than 1,000 cases of measles were confirmed across the U.S., which is an increase of 23 in a week. Texas still accounts for a majority of cases, according to The Associated Press.
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne, and it spreads quickly when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs, according to the AP.
Gonzales said those who may have been at the Ascension Seton Hays from 12:50 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on May 16 should monitor themselves for potential signs of measles symptoms.
Gonzales said the patient had developed a rash on Thursday, May 15. Individuals are contagious four days prior to developing a rash and four days after the rash is presented.
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The list below shows the locations the individual visited while they were considered not infectious (prior to May 11).
May 10 – Sephora inside of Kohl’s, 20185 Marketplace Ave, Kyle, Texas 78640
May 10 – H-E-B Plus, 5401 Farm to Market 1626, Kyle Texas 78640
Below listed are the locations the individual visited during the time of infection.
May 13 – CommuniCare Kyle Clinic, 2810 Dacy Lane, Kyle, Texas 78640
May 13 – Texas Department of Public Safety, 1400 N IH-35, San Marcos, Texas 78666
May 16 – Ascension Seton Hays, 6001 Kyle Parkway, Kyle, Texas 78640
Those who may have been at these locations should monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or develop a rash from four days to 21 days after their exposure, said a press release from Hays County.
Gonzales said those who are most at risk are those who have no prior immunity, such as those who were born before 1950, have no proof of vaccination, have had measles, are pregnant or are too young to receive the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.