A measles outbreak in Texas has surged to 259 cases, surpassing the total number of reported cases for all of 2024. The highly contagious virus has been reported in 11 counties, with Gaines County accounting for two-thirds of the cases.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), 257 out of the affected patients are either unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. The majority of those infected, 201, are children under the age of 17.
Hospitalizations and deaths have also risen, with 34 patients hospitalized and one child dying from measles complications. A large Mennonite community in Gaines County has been identified as a hotspot for low vaccination rates.
Meanwhile, New Mexico’s case count has grown to 35, with most cases reported in Lea County. The highly contagious nature of the disease has led officials to warn that additional cases are likely and to emphasize the importance of vaccination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report a total of 301 measles cases nationwide, exceeding the original 2024 target. Two doses of the MMR vaccine have been shown to be 97% effective against measles.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/texas-measles-outbreak-grows-us-surpasses-case-count-2024