A measles outbreak in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma has reached 355 cases, with local officials warning that it’s an undercount and the virus may continue to spread for months. The majority of cases have been among children under five and young people aged five to 17.
Texas reported 309 cases, with most coming from Gaines County where the outbreak was first identified. New Mexico has reported 42 cases, and Oklahoma has reported four probable cases. Forty-two people have been hospitalized, including 110 children under five and 140 young people aged five to 17.
The outbreak is largely driven by undervaccination, particularly in areas with low MMR coverage. Experts say that vaccinating the community is key to ending the outbreak. With ample vaccine supply available, officials are urging more people to get vaccinated. The US has already seen more cases this year than in all of 2024, with at least 404 reported cases as of Friday.
Measles remains a significant threat due to low vaccination rates, particularly among young children. Experts emphasize the importance of vaccination and community efforts to prevent further spread.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/21/health/measles-outbreak-spread-expected/index.html