A measles outbreak in West Texas has infected over 500 people, making it the state’s largest outbreak in over 30 years. Public health experts say the key to stopping outbreaks like this is to increase vaccination rates.
The outbreak began with unvaccinated children and has spread to New Mexico and Oklahoma. Experts point to misinformation about vaccines as a major contributor to the decline in vaccination rates.
“Talk to the community, they really stopped vaccinating about 20 years ago,” said Katherine Wells, director of public health in Lubbock, the epicenter of the outbreak. “We’re seeing the impact of that misinformation today.”
Despite low vaccination rates, experts say the vaccine is safe and effective with rare side effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a decline in US vaccination rates over the past five years.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has ramped up testing and vaccination efforts, but local officials face challenges in enforcing measures to contain the outbreak. The state’s Republican-controlled legislature is considering bills that would loosen vaccine mandates.
“We’re not seeing any plans for a public health emergency,” said Chris Van Deusen, director of media relations for the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Experts warn that conflicting messaging from federal officials and funding cuts will make it harder to respond to the outbreak. “The federal communications is muddying the waters and making the jobs of local officials harder,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University.
As the outbreak continues to spread, experts expect it to be a long road to recovery. With over 500 confirmed cases, Katherine Wells expects it will take at least a year before the case count returns to zero.
Source: https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/texas-measles-outbreak-vaccination-rates