The US measles outbreak continues to spread, with new cases emerging in various states. Although some areas, like west Texas, are showing signs of slowing down, officials warn against complacency as vaccination rates continue to fall.
As the US experiences high rates of measles amid falling vaccination rates, health officials are sounding the alarm about a potential epidemic. The recent outbreak has led to 1,024 confirmed cases, with 2025 being the second-worst year for measles since its elimination from the US in 2000.
While some areas like Lubbock, Texas, have seen a decline in new measles cases, health officials caution that complacency is not an option. “We’re still seeing measles cases in El Paso and other states,” said Katherine Wells, director of Lubbock Public Health. “The danger has not passed.”
Experts point to successful vaccination campaigns in west Texas as one reason for the decrease in cases, but they also warn about the risks of travel introducing new infections into vulnerable communities.
The US Department of Health and Human Services has been criticized for spreading misinformation about the measles vaccine, which experts say undermines public confidence in vaccines at a critical time. “It’s that effective” in preventing outbreaks, said Dr. Anthony Maresso, a professor of molecular virology and microbiology at the Baylor College of Medicine.
To combat future outbreaks, local leaders are being urged to prepare by educating themselves and their communities about measles, including its symptoms and testing capabilities. Funding for public health departments has also become increasingly precarious, with the Trump administration’s clawback of Covid funding posing significant challenges.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/24/texas-measles-outbreak