AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed the first cases of measles in the state since 2023. Health officials say those two reported cases are in Houston.

There have not been any confirmed cases in Central Texas, but Austin Public Health is asking residents to be proactive.

What is measles?

The backstory:

Measles is a highly contagious and, in some cases, deadly disease. Symptoms develop 7–14 days after infection, according to health officials.

“You could experience a very high fever, cough or runny nose, things like that, watery red eyes. A few days later, you’ll start to get a rash, and so that rash will start to look like white spots on the inside of your cheeks and then a rash that usually starts on your face and spreads down your body,” says Chief State Epidemiologist Varun Shetty.

Chief state epidemiologist Varun Shetty says measles is an airborne disease.

“Measles spreads through coughs and sneezes. It can stay in a room for up to two hours. Someone could get measles just simply by being in the room where someone who is sick had it. If you are not protected with the vaccine,” says Shetty. 

Why you should care:

This month, the Houston Health Department identified two cases of measles associated with international travel.

Health officials said to prevent the spread of the disease, getting vaccinated is recommended.

“Typically, the vaccine that you receive from your doctor is called the MMR vaccine. It stands for measles, mumps, and rubella. It’s a two-dose vaccine. Two doses of this vaccine are highly effective at protecting against measles. In fact, it prevents 97% of cases of measles,” says Shetty.

Shetty says if you are not vaccinated, and you are exposed to the disease, take the proper precautions to protect yourself and the public.

“The most important thing is to isolate yourself, stay away from other people so you can reduce the risk of spreading it to others. Then we would recommend you to call your doctor on the phone ahead of time and let them know that you’re concerned about that so that you can arrange a safe way to get evaluated and get tested and then follow those doctor’s instructions,” says Shetty.

Health officials say those most at risk are pregnant women, children and those with weak immune systems.