What should have been a fun day at the St. Louis Aquarium turned into a health concern for hundreds of visitors.
Authorities have confirmed that a person infected with measles — and unvaccinated — was at the popular attraction last Wednesday, April 30, potentially exposing close to a thousand people to the highly contagious virus.
Unvaccinated Visitor Travels from Illinois to Missouri
The individual, who lives in southern Illinois, made a trip to Missouri that included a visit to the aquarium between 1 and 6 p.m.
They also stopped by a local restaurant (officials haven’t named which one) before returning home.
Unfortunately, this person was not vaccinated against measles and may have unknowingly exposed many others during the visit.
Health Officials on Alert as Concerns Rise
While no measles cases in Missouri have been officially linked to this person yet, health officials are urging anyone who was at the aquarium during that time to be on the lookout for symptoms — especially a widespread red rash.
Measles symptoms usually begin with a fever and cough, followed by the telltale rash that starts on the face and moves down the body.
Meanwhile, Texas Faces a Major Outbreak
This incident comes as Texas deals with the worst measles outbreak the U.S. has seen in two decades.
Over 800 people have fallen ill, and tragically, two young girls — aged six and eight — have died.
Most cases are concentrated in Gaines County in the Texas Panhandle, but the virus has already made its way to seven other states.
Measles Is Extremely Contagious
To put things in perspective, measles is one of the most infectious diseases in the world.
If you’re not vaccinated and you come into contact with someone who has it, there’s a 90% chance you’ll get sick too.
The virus spreads easily through coughs and sneezes and can linger in the air or on surfaces.
Case Counts in Illinois and Missouri Still Climbing
So far, Missouri has reported three measles cases, though none have been directly tied to the aquarium visitor.
Two were identified in New Madrid County, while the third involved a child in Taney County who had recently traveled abroad.
Illinois, on the other hand, has confirmed six cases to date — four in Marion County (where the aquarium visitor lives) and two others in Cook County, which were linked to international travel.
Difficulty Tracking the Patient’s Movements
Health officials say they’re having a tough time tracking the infected individual’s exact movements.
Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, director of health for St. Louis, told reporters that the person hasn’t provided a clear timeline, which makes it harder to alert others who may have crossed paths with them.
Aquarium Reacts to the News
The St. Louis Aquarium confirmed that 939 people were on-site that day, including a visiting school group.
They’ve been reaching out to inform guests of the potential exposure.
The aquarium also reassured the public that its surfaces are cleaned multiple times daily and that the animals are not at risk of catching measles.
Vaccination Is Still the Best Protection
Experts continue to stress that the best way to protect yourself and your community is through vaccination.
A single dose of the measles vaccine is about 93% effective, and two doses bump that up to 97%.
What Measles Looks and Feels Like
Measles often starts off looking like the flu — with a fever, cough, and fatigue — but it quickly progresses to a large red rash.
It weakens the immune system, making it easier to catch other infections like pneumonia, which can be deadly in some cases.
While there’s no direct cure, doctors treat measles by managing symptoms and preventing complications.