Important Information for Employees

Measles, also known as Rubeola, is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious health complications. It spreads easily through the air when someone infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after exposure. You can also become infected by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. A non-immune person has a 90% chance of becoming infected if they are exposed to someone with measles. 

For current status of cases in Texas, please visit the TX Department of State Health Services.

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Symptoms can take up to 21 days to appear. Measles typically begins with:

• High fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes: The fever may spike up to 104 degrees, and white spots may show in the mouth.
• Rash: Appears 3-5 days after symptoms begin, starting at the hairline and spreading down the body. Small raised bumps may appear on the red spots. The rash is not usually itchy.

Measles is contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash appears.

Measles can lead to serious complications, especially for younger children and older adults. Complications may include:

• Ear infections, which can cause permanent hearing loss.
• Diarrhea
• Pneumonia and encephalitis (brain swelling), both of which can be life-threatening.
• Hospitalization, approximately 1 in 5 unvaccinated people with measles need to be hospitalized.

Anyone who has not been vaccinated, has only received one dose, or has not had measles before, is at risk – especially if they have been in contact with someone who has the virus.

Generally, you are considered immune and not at risk if you:

• Had measles in the past and have laboratory results (blood test) to show that you have antibodies to fight the virus.
• Have written documentation of two doses of vaccination with measles-containing vaccine.
• Were born before 1957: Adults born before 1957 are likely to have had measles as a child and are generally (but not always) considered immune. People born before 1957 lived through several years of epidemic measles before the first measles vaccine was licensed. Approximately 95% to 98% of those born before 1957 are immune to measles.

If you were vaccinated between 1960 and 1968, please contact your healthcare provider to discuss your immunity status.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting vaccinated against measles to protect yourself. Most people receive the vaccine when they are children.

The measles vaccine is part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) or MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) vaccine series. Two doses of the vaccine provide the best protection, with one dose being about 93% effective and two doses yielding an effectiveness of 97-99%.

If you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine or know that you are immune based on antibody levels, it is possible but very unlikely that you'll get measles. If you have questions regarding suspicious symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. 

If you have not been vaccinated, have only one dose of the vaccine or know you are not immune and have measles symptoms, it is important to seek medical care right away.

• Faculty and Staff: If your medical provider has advised you to quarantine due to a high-risk exposure to measles, please notify OHP at (512) 471-4647 for additional guidance.

If you have never received an MMR or MMRV vaccine, or you have not had both doses, and you have had an exposure to a known measles contact, you should:

• Contact your healthcare provider immediately so you can promptly receive a dose of MMR as post-exposure prophylaxis. The vaccine must be administered within 72 hours following the exposure.
• If your exposure occurred greater than 72 hours ago, call your medical provider to discuss treatment options to reduce your risk of developing illness.

If you need further guidance, as part of your UT SELECT Medical coverage, registered nurses are available – at no cost to you – 24/7 at 888-315-9473.

Even if you do not have measles or aren't currently sick, you can take steps to prevent the spread of illness to others:

• Stay home from work and social events if you are feeling unwell.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have been in contact with someone who has measles, or you are concerned about your symptoms.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and dispose of tissues properly.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid sharing drinks, food, or smoking devices.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, desks. phones) regularly to reduce the risk of contamination.

By taking these precautions, you help keep yourself and others safe, even if you are not showing symptoms.

• UT Austin Faculty and Staff: Call the Occupational Health Program (OHP) at 512-471-4647.
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
• See the chart below for vaccine recommendations by age from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Complete MMR recommendations (PDF)