Austin reports second measles case; officials urge vaccinations and list exposure locations

Austin Public Health and Travis County officials on Monday confirmed a second local measles case and urged residents to check vaccination records and seek MMR shots if they are not fully immunized.

Dr. Desmar Walks, Austin-Travis County health authority and medical director for Austin Public Health, said the newly identified case involves a fully vaccinated adult who likely was exposed while traveling. "Because of their vaccine protection, the resident is experiencing mild symptoms of the virus while they isolate at home," Walks said. He directed people who were at any of the listed exposure locations to call their health care provider or Austin Public Health for guidance.

The confirmation prompted immediate public-health steps. Austin Public Health is conducting contact tracing, notifying businesses and other potentially exposed people, maintaining a public list of exposure locations at austintexas.gov/measles, and offering MMR vaccine through mobile clinics and its "Shots for Tots and Big Shots" clinic network for uninsured and underinsured residents. "Vaccination is the best defense against this highly contagious and deadly disease," an Austin Public Health spokesperson said.

Why this matters: Measles is highly contagious and can cause…