A measles outbreak in West Texas has surged to 48 cases, making it the state’s worst in nearly three decades, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The majority of infected individuals are children and teens who are either unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
Gaines County, a rural area with limited healthcare access, is at the epicenter of the outbreak. Many families choose private schools or homeschool their children, resulting in lower vaccination rates. Despite this, state health officials emphasize that the community’s low vaccination rate is not solely due to religious beliefs, but rather personal choice and lack of access to regular healthcare.
To combat the outbreak, local health officials are working with the state to increase screening and vaccination efforts. Education on identifying measles symptoms and encouraging families to vaccinate their children are also key strategies. The outbreak has spread to nearby counties in Texas, as well as a single case in Lea County, New Mexico.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that 49 cases were reported in the state in 1996, with a significant increase following a traveler’s interaction with an unvaccinated community in Asia. Measles remains a highly contagious virus that can survive for up to two hours in the air.
As vaccination rates decline, the US sees an increase in measles cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that up to 90% of susceptible individuals will contract the virus if exposed. In recent years, outbreaks have been reported across the country, including a significant case in Chicago.
Texas law allows exemptions from school vaccines based on conscience, with nearly 14% of K-12 students opting out of at least one required vaccine in the 2023-24 school year. Health officials believe this number is likely higher due to unreported homeschooling cases.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mmr-vaccine-homeschooling-b29d08d53cf26704968e8c00dfa712ba