Austin Detects Measles Virus in Wastewater

Austin Public Health (APH) announced yesterday that its wastewater surveillance in Travis County has detected the presence of the measles virus collected during the first week of July 2025.

As of July 21, 2025, this detection may indicate an undetected case or cases of measles in the local community that exceeds 1 million residents.

Furthermore, Austin adds another 50,000 college students each year during August and hosts over 100,000 football fans most weekends in the Fall.

So far in 2025, only two measles cases have been confirmed among Travis County residents, both of which were linked to exposure during international travel.

However, the State of Texas has reported numerous measles cases in western counties, as well as in Dallas and Houston counties.

Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The disease can actively linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. If someone breathes contaminated air or touches infected surfaces and then their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected.

APH says if one person has measles, 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.

APH offers the MMR vaccine for uninsured and underinsured Austinites at its Shots for Tots and Big Shots clinics.