The US is facing a significant measles outbreak, with 292 reported cases in western Texas and eastern New Mexico as of March 17. The number of cases has surpassed last year’s total, and officials fear the virus could spread into the spring and summer, leading to more deaths.
Measles vaccination rates have fallen below the 95 percent threshold necessary to control the disease, and experts believe the actual number of cases may be higher than reported. Two people have died from measles infections since the outbreak began in late January.
The Texas emergency appears to have started in Gaines County, where a nearby Oklahoma county has confirmed its first case. The measles mortality rate is 1 in 1,000 infections, which suggests thousands more cases could occur.
Source: https://www.vox.com/health/404709/measles-outbreak-cdc-vaccine-booster-recommendations