A measles outbreak in Texas is expected to last for several months, despite an increase in vaccinations compared to last year. As of Friday, the outbreak had reached 309 cases and one death, with 42 people hospitalized across two states.
Local public health officials say the virus will continue to spread due to its contagious nature, which makes it difficult to contain. Measles can be spread through contact with an infected person for up to two hours after they have left a room.
The Texas outbreak has largely affected undervaccinated Mennonite communities, where cases were first reported. Experts predict that if the outbreak continues, it could last for a year based on previous studies of measles outbreaks in Amish communities.
However, vaccination numbers have increased this year, with over 11,600 measles vaccines administered in New Mexico and at least 173,000 doses given in Texas. While these gains are welcome, health officials acknowledge that more work is needed to control the outbreak.
The spread of the virus can be attributed to its highly contagious nature, which makes it difficult to contain. Experts warn that if the outbreak spreads further, it could end the United States’ status of having eliminated measles, which is defined as 12 months without local virus transmission.
Pharmacy chains across the US, including in Texas, are seeing increased demand for MMR vaccines. Officials are urging people to opt-in to the state’s immunization registry to track vaccination numbers more accurately.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426