News Summary
Williamson County health officials have confirmed the first measles case in Leander, Texas, involving a school-aged child from Bar W. Elementary School. The child, who has tested positive for measles, is recovering in isolation. Health officials are investigating potential exposure risks, urging the community to monitor symptoms and prioritize vaccinations amid an outbreak that has seen increased cases across the state.
Leander, Texas Reports First Measles Case of 2025
Williamson County health officials have confirmed the county’s first measles case of 2025, involving a school-aged child from Leander, Texas. The child, who attends Bar W. Elementary School within the Liberty Hill Independent School District (ISD), has tested positive for the highly contagious virus and is currently recovering at home in isolation.
The child has been contagious since May 15 and may remain so through May 24, raising potential exposure risks for the community during this period. While health officials are actively investigating the case, they do not have information regarding the child’s vaccination status, as the family has not divulged those details. This information is deemed crucial for assessing the source of the infection and understanding potential exposure for others.
The Liberty Hill ISD has advised students and their families to monitor for symptoms of measles until June 14. Anyone exhibiting symptoms is urged to contact a medical provider before visiting clinics or hospitals to prevent further spread of the virus.
Increasing Measles Cases in Texas
As of May 20, Texas has reported a total of 722 confirmed measles cases, primarily stemming from an outbreak in West Texas. A key incident involved an infectious resident from El Paso visiting Austin in late April, potentially exposing attendees at Terry Black’s Barbecue on April 26. Following these incidents, health officials continue to emphasize the importance of community-wide vaccination against measles.
Measles is known for its high contagion rate; approximately 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus will contract it. Additionally, the virus can survive on surfaces for up to two hours after exposure, illustrating the ease with which it spreads. In Austin, the first reported case of the year was an unvaccinated infant exposed during international travel, and another case involved a vaccinated adult who contracted the virus following potential exposure during domestic travel.
Individuals who visited specific public locations during the stated exposure times are also advised to monitor for symptoms actively.
Vaccination Status and Access
Austin Public Health has ramped up efforts to provide MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines at various clinics, recognizing a critical need for increased vaccine access and awareness among the community. The first dose of the MMR vaccine is estimated to offer about 93% protection against measles, while the second dose enhances this protection to an approximate 97%.
However, there is increasing concern regarding low vaccination rates among children, particularly within the Austin Independent School District (AISD). Recent data indicates that only 83.7% of kindergarten students in AISD were vaccinated against measles, a significant decline from 96% in 2020.
To combat the growing hesitancy around vaccinations and misinformation concerning vaccine safety, Austin Public Health continues to promote the Vaccines for Children Program, which has provided free vaccines for uninsured or underinsured children for the past 30 years. Ongoing community vaccination efforts aim to strengthen public health and stop the spread of the measles outbreak.
In light of these events, timely communication and robust vaccination campaigns are essential for safeguarding community health and preventing further outbreaks.
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Additional Resources
- KXAN News: Williamson County Measles Case
- Wikipedia: Measles
- Statesman: Austin Measles Outbreak
- Google Search: Measles Outbreak Texas 2025
- NBC DFW: Austin Measles Case
- Google Scholar: Measles Vaccination Rates
- Axios: Austin Measles Case
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Measles
- CBS Austin: Leander Measles Case
- Google News: Measles Texas 2025
