A measles outbreak has struck Texas, infecting 22 children and two adults who are all unvaccinated. The cases have been concentrated in Gaines County, a western edge of the state with low vaccination rates. Childhood vaccination rates in Texas have declined over recent years, with kindergarten students receiving only 82% of the recommended vaccine.
The outbreak has raised concerns among public health experts, particularly after Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as the country’s next health secretary. Experts predict more cases of preventable illnesses may become frequent.
“We’re seeing a trend where this disease is becoming more common,” said Dr. Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease expert at Duke University. The Texas outbreak has been limited to residents of Gaines County, but nearby communities are likely to see cases due to the highly contagious nature of measles.
Vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, with only 93% of kindergartners having received the vaccine. An estimated 280,000 kindergartners lack documentation of an MMR vaccine. Texas public schools require vaccination but allow parents to apply for exemptions based on religious or conscience reasons.
Local health departments have set up drive-through clinics in Seminole, a city with a large Mennonite community. The outbreak highlights the importance of vaccination and the need for community protection measures. Health officials warn that cases will likely spread to surrounding communities due to measles’ highly contagious nature.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/science/measles-vaccination-texas.html