A historic measles outbreak in West Texas has reached nearly 200 cases, according to Texas state health officials. Meanwhile, the number of cases in neighboring New Mexico has tripled to 30, highlighting a concerning trend in the USA.
Most of the reported cases across both states involve individuals younger than 18, primarily those who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. Texas health officials have identified 39 new infections of this highly contagious disease, bringing the total count in the West Texas outbreak to 198 since it began in late January. Alarmingly, 23 individuals have been hospitalized due to the outbreak.
Tragically, a school-age child succumbed to measles in Texas last week, marking the first measles death in the nation in a decade. In response, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dispatched a team to Texas to assist local public health officials in managing the outbreak.
New Mexico health officials have noted a steady increase in cases in Lea County, which borders the epicenter of Texas’ outbreak. Recent reports indicate that cases have surged from 14 in the week of February 9 to 30 this week. A spokesperson for the health department warned that more cases are anticipated, as many reported cases were only identified after individuals had recovered from their illnesses. Although a clear connection to the Texas outbreak has not been established, a link was suspected as of February 14.
On Thursday, New Mexico health officials confirmed the death of an unvaccinated adult who had tested positive for measles but did not seek medical care. While the official cause of death has not been declared, it has been described as “measles-related” by the state health department.
The CDC also confirmed measles cases in several states, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington. However, the outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico account for the majority of the nation’s case count.
This rise in measles cases poses a significant challenge for U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine advocate who has raised concerns about the safety of childhood vaccinations. Despite this, he has refrained from recommending the vaccine and has promoted unproven treatments, such as cod liver oil.
Kennedy has dismissed the Texas outbreak as “not unusual,” although numerous local doctors in West Texas have reported that they had never encountered a measles case in their careers prior to this outbreak.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is recognized as safe and highly effective in preventing infection and severe cases. Health experts recommend that children receive their first shot between 12 to 15 months of age, followed by a second dose between ages 4 to 6 years.
Unfortunately, childhood vaccination rates across the USA have declined as more parents seek exemptions from public school vaccination requirements for personal or religious reasons. In Gaines County, Texas, home to the majority of the cases, the kindergarten measles vaccination rate stands at only 82% — significantly below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
Many of the cases in Gaines County are associated with the county’s “close-knit, undervaccinated” Mennonite community, a diverse group historically known for lower vaccination rates and skepticism toward government mandates and interventions.
Measles is a respiratory virus capable of surviving in the air for up to two hours. The CDC warns that up to nine out of ten susceptible individuals will contract the virus if exposed. Thanks to the success of the vaccination program, the U.S. was declared measles-free in 2000.
