A measles outbreak first reported in Gaines County, Texas, has doubled to 48 cases since the latest count, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The contagious disease is primarily affecting unvaccinated individuals and children between 5-17 years old.
The outbreak, which started in late January, has spread to surrounding counties with reports of three cases in Terry County, two in Yoakum County, and one in Lynn County. The health department expects more cases to be reported as the disease spreads.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne illness that can cause severe symptoms, including blindness, pneumonia, and brain swelling. The Texas health department has seen a significant rise in vaccine exemptions, with nearly 1 in 5 incoming kindergartners in Gaines County not getting the MMR vaccine.
To combat the outbreak, the health department is working with local clinics to offer free vaccinations at no cost. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 285 measles cases in the US last year, a significant increase from previous years. The US Department of Health and Human Services has set a goal of vaccinating at least 95% of kindergarten children with two doses of the MMR vaccine to prevent outbreaks.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/14/health/measles-texas-outbreak/index.html