Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age, another dose at 4-6 years of age. MMR vaccine is generally first given at 12 months of age in the United States but is sometimes recommended for children as young as six months of age who are traveling outside the United States or could be infected in an outbreak.

Rubella

Austin Public Health is investigating a confirmed rubella case less than a month after confirming the first measles case in Travis County since 1999 – which is also the last time a Travis County resident had rubella. Nationwide, there are typically less than ten rubella cases annually, most of which are associated with international travel.

Rubella is covered by the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. While Austin/Travis County has a relatively high vaccination rate, there are pockets of communities where vaccination opt-outs bring herd immunity to an unstable status. Please refer to this website for updates.

Austin confirma el primer caso de rubeola desde 1999

奥斯汀市确认1999年以来首例风疹病

Austin xác nhận trường hợp bệnh ban đào đầu tiên kể từ năm 1999
 

Those who are greatly impacted by rubella are children and pregnant women and their unborn child:

  • Unvaccinated children who attend school with an infected child are required by state law to stay home for 21 days following contact.
  • Unvaccinated pregnant women have a high risk of congenital rubella syndrome. Congenital rubella syndrome can lead to birth defects including deafness, cataracts, heart defects, intellectual disabilities, or liver and spleen damage. There is also an increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.

“Along with the requirement to keep your unvaccinated child home for weeks, there are significant health risks to being exposed to rubella,” said Dr. Mark Escott, interim health authority and medical director for Austin Public Health. “Please, check if you and your family are up-to-date on vaccinations to prevent the comeback of these previously eliminated diseases.”

Rubella is less contagious than measles, but the virus has similar symptoms and is contracted the same way. Rubella is spread mainly through droplets that come from a sick person’s nose and mouth when they cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can travel up to 6 feet and land on people nearby or inhaled into the lungs. It also can spread when you touch virus-contaminated objects, such as a doorknob and then touch your face.

Rubella symptoms include a red rash, low-grade fever, headache, mild pink eye, swollen lymph nodes, cough or runny nose. Please stay home if you experience any of these symptoms and call your medical provider.

For more information on rubella educational materials, visit CDC.gov/Rubella.

For more information on immunizations, visit www.austintexas.gov/immunizations

You can also follow updates on Twitter (@AusPublicHealth) and Facebook (@AustinPublicHealth)

Measles

Austin Public Health has not confirmed any secondary cases as a result of the measles exposure. APH officials have contacted those who were in close proximity to a person identified with measles.

The incubation period for measles is typically 10-14 days, but out of an abundance of caution, investigations continued through January 7 in case of delayed doctor visits. As of today (January 8), no additional cases have been reported. Epidemiologists will continue to monitor. Please refer to this website for updates.

最新信息:卫生官员在调查中尚未发现任何新麻疹病例。

Tin tức cập nhật: Các cơ quan quản lý y tế chưa tìm thấy trường hợp mới nào mắc bệnh sởi qua điều tra

On December 21, the first measles case in Travis County since 1999 was reported. In response to this report, APH, in collaboration with regional, state and federal health officials, including the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heightened surveillance and communication efforts.

Public health officials continue to encourage vaccinations to ensure you and your family are protected against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Measles is a virus that is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected. Symptoms include cough, rash, fever and sore eyes.

“Given how contagious this virus is, we are very thankful that we have not seen a measles outbreak in Travis County,” said Dr. Mark Escott, interim health authority and medical director for Austin Public Health. “This measles case in Austin serves as a critical reminder about the importance of vaccines.”

Many factors may be attributed to the lack of measles spread from this specific case. The most important factor is the high immunization rate resulting in adequate herd immunity, which made it less likely that the measles virus would circulate. This also serves as a good reminder to stay home if you are sick, whether it be with the measles, flu or any other illness.

For more information on measles educational materials, visit www.cdc.gov/measles/toolkit/index.html

For more information on immunizations, visit www.austintexas.gov/immunizations

You can also follow updates on Twitter (@AusPublicHealth) and Facebook (@AustinPublicHealth)

To get vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella:

 

 With Private Insurance

 Without Health Insurance

Children and Adults

Call your primary care doctor or you can visit most CVS, Walgreens or HEB pharmacies to be immunized.       

 

Adults

 

Multiple CommunityCare and Lone Star Circle of Care locations offer Adult Safety Net (ASN) vaccines for low or no cost.

Children

 

For children with Medicaid or without health insurance:

Vaccines for Children (VFC) participating providers such as CommunityCare, Carousel Pediatrics, Lone Star Circle of Care,  Austin Regional Clinic and Austin Diagnostic Clinic carry MMR vaccine. A full list of VFC providers is available upon request.

News Archives:

Austin Public Health confirms 1st case of measles since 1999

Austin Public Health [Salud Pública de Austin] confirma el primer caso de sarampión en el condado de Travis desde 1999 (PDF) 

奥斯汀市公共卫生部(Austin Public Health)已确认自1999年以来在特拉维斯县发现的首例麻疹病例 (PDF)

Austin Public Health (Sở Y Tế Công Cộng Austin) xác nhận trường hợp đầu tiên mắc bệnh sởi tại Quận Travis kể từ năm 1999 (PDF)