Health officials in South Plains are working to contain a growing measles outbreak, urging residents to get vaccinated. The last confirmed case of measles was reported in Gaines County three weeks ago, but the number has since increased to 49 across West Texas.
According to Lubbock Public Health Director Katherine Wells, if someone contracts measles and is not vaccinated, nine out of ten people will contract the disease. Wells warns that complacency due to the long absence of the virus in the region may be causing people to forget the importance of vaccination.
The outbreak began in a tight-knit Mennonite community in Gaines County but has since spread beyond it. Texas Department of State Health Services reports that the majority of cases are among unvaccinated individuals, regardless of their background.
Wells notes that the efforts of tracing exposures helped track the case in Lubbock County, which broke a 21-year streak without measles. However, she remains concerned about potential outbreaks at schools and medical facilities.
Data from the Global Public Health Journal highlights the risks associated with measles: out of every 10,000 people who contract the virus, 2,000 go to the hospital, 500 children get pneumonia, and 10-30 children die. In contrast, the MMR vaccine has a much better safety record, with fewer severe side effects.
Wells encourages anyone who is unvaccinated or has unvaccinated children to reconsider getting vaccinated to protect vulnerable populations.
Source: https://www.kcbd.com/2025/02/18/south-plains-health-officials-working-contain-measles-outbreak-encouraging-vaccination