DALLAS (AP) – The measles outbreak in Texas has escalated, with the number of confirmed cases rising to 146, marking Texas's largest outbreak in nearly 30 years. This week, health officials reported an increase of 22 cases since Tuesday, with the Texas Department of State Health Services indicating that the cases are spread across nine counties in West Texas, particularly concentrated in Gaines County, which has seen almost 100 infections. As of now, 20 patients have been hospitalized as a result of the outbreak.
Tragically, one unvaccinated child, who was school-aged, succumbed to the disease on Tuesday night, representing the first measles-related death in the United States since 2015, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The child received treatment at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, although the facility clarified that the patient did not reside in Lubbock County.
The outbreak has primarily affected rural areas of West Texas, particularly among a "close-knit, undervaccinated" Mennonite community, as noted by state health department spokesperson Lara Anton. Gaines County notably has a robust homeschooling and private school network and is one of the regions in Texas with a high rate of vaccine opt-outs; nearly 14% of school-aged children in the area skipped receiving at least one mandated vaccine during the previous school year.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is widely regarded as safe and highly effective in preventing measles infections and severe cases. Health experts recommend the first vaccination for children between 12 to 15 months of age, followed by a second dose when they are between 4 and 6 years old. While most children recover well from measles, the virus can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, blindness, swelling of the brain, and even death.
Vaccination rates have seen a decline across the United States since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Currently, most states fall below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergartners, which is essential for providing sufficient herd immunity to protect communities against outbreaks of measles.
In the year 2000, U.S. health authorities declared measles eliminated in the country, indicating that there had been a pause in the continuous spread of the disease for at least 12 months. However, measles cases have surged once more, with new outbreaks reported in 2024, including one in Chicago that sickened over 60 individuals.
As of now, New Mexico has reported nine measles cases, but the state health department confirmed that these are unrelated to the outbreak occurring in West Texas. Public health initiatives and community education are critical components in addressing the current outbreak and preventing further spread of the virus.
