West Texas Measles Outbreak Doubles to 48 Cases
The measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, has doubled in size, reaching 48 confirmed cases, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on Friday. The outbreak, first identified in late January, has been steadily growing.
Rising Case Numbers Across Counties
- Gaines County: 42 cases (the epicenter of the outbreak).
- Terry County: 3 cases.
- Yoakum County: 2 cases.
- Lynn County: 1 case.
Health officials warn that more cases are expected due to the highly contagious nature of measles.
Who is Affected?
- All cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
- Most infections are in children aged 5 to 17 years.
- Symptoms appeared within the last three weeks.
- Hospitalizations: 13 patients have required hospital care.
Measles Spreading Beyond Texas
The outbreak has crossed state lines into Lea County, New Mexico, where three cases have been confirmed this week.
- The first case involved an unvaccinated teenager.
- The vaccination status of the other two cases remains unknown.
- Health officials suspect the New Mexico cases are linked to the Texas outbreak.
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that spreads through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include:
Fever
Cough
Red eyes
Rash
In severe cases, measles can lead to blindness, pneumonia, or encephalitis (brain swelling). It can also be fatal.
Low Vaccination Rates in Gaines County
- Nearly 1 in 5 kindergarteners (18%) in Gaines County did not receive the MMR vaccine in the 2023-24 school year.
- This is one of the highest vaccine exemption rates in Texas, increasing the risk of outbreaks.
Efforts to Control the Outbreak
The Texas health department is collaborating with:
- South Plains Public Health District
- Lubbock Public Health
Free Vaccination Clinics
Texas:
- 80+ people have received free MMR vaccinations at clinics in Gaines County.
- Clinics are now open 7 days a week.
New Mexico:
- Free vaccines available at public health clinics in Lea County for the next two weeks.
Measles on the Rise in the U.S.
- 285 cases were reported nationwide in 2023, the highest since 2019.
- Measles cases in 2024: Reported in Texas, Alaska, New Mexico, Georgia, Rhode Island, and New York City.
- U.S. vaccination rates falling:
- A record 125,000 kindergarteners lacked at least one required vaccine last year.
- The U.S. goal is 95% MMR vaccine coverage in kindergarteners, but the country has missed this target for four years in a row.
Takeaway
With low vaccination rates and rising cases, health officials urge immediate vaccination to prevent further spread of this highly contagious and potentially deadly disease.
? Get vaccinated. Protect yourself. Stop the spread.
Source
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