A new measles outbreak has been reported in Gaines County, West Texas, where at least 10 cases have been confirmed over the past two weeks. The majority of these cases, eight, involve school-aged children and all seven hospitalized patients were unvaccinated residents. This is not an isolated incident, as there were also recent cases reported in Harris County, another part of the state.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can cause serious health consequences, including hospitalization and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 40% of those who contracted measles last year were hospitalized, with more than half being under five years old.
Experts stress the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of measles. While one dose is about 93% effective at preventing infection, two doses are around 97% effective. The CDC notes that the disease’s prevalence has accelerated in recent years, with over twice as many reported cases in 2024 compared to all of 2023.
The decline in vaccination rates among kindergarteners and an increase in vaccine exemption requests may be contributing factors to this trend. This is reflected in Texas, where lawmakers have filed bills aimed at weakening vaccination mandates.
Source: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/08/measles-west-texas-vaccine-outbreak