Measles virus found in Travis County wastewater in Austin has raised concerns about an imminent outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that the disease is extremely contagious and can spread through air droplets that linger for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a area.
The detection of measles in the county’s wastewater was confirmed by Austin Public Health officials on Monday, who stated that it could be as little as someone visiting the area having the virus. The health department emphasized that reporting from healthcare providers is more effective in determining how prevalent measles is in the community.
There have been only two confirmed cases of measles in Travis County so far this year, both related to travel outside the area. Experts attribute declining vaccination rates as a major concern, which may lead to a loss of herd immunity if more people remain unvaccinated.
Public health officials recommend that individuals born after 1967 receive the MMR vaccine and are considered fully vaccinated. Those who received two doses of the vaccine are protected against severe disease and are 97% effective in preventing illness. If unsure about vaccination status, consulting with an old pediatrician or school records is advised.
Source: https://www.kut.org/health/2025-07-23/measles-cases-austin-travis-county-texas-wastewater-detected