A measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, has infected at least 22 children and two adults, with nine individuals requiring hospitalization, according to state health officials.
Authorities warn that more cases are likely due to the highly contagious nature of the disease.
None of the 24 confirmed cases had received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides strong protection against the virus. Health experts emphasize that measles outbreaks are preventable through high vaccination rates. However, US immunization rates for measles have been declining in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Gaines County, a rural area with a population of about 22,500 people, has some of the highest vaccine exemption rates in Texas. Data from the 2023-24 school year shows that more than 3 percent of K-12 students in the county had a vaccine exemption, with some schools reporting MMR vaccination rates as low as 46.2 percent among kindergarteners.
Measles spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, and close contact, and can cause serious complications, especially in young children. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a red rash. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death.
Before a vaccine became widely available in 1963, measles caused an estimated 400 to 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States. Thanks to vaccination campaigns, the disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000. However, recent years have seen a resurgence of cases, largely due to lower vaccination rates.
Health officials in Texas have launched drive-through vaccination clinics to encourage immunization in affected communities. While the response has been strong, experts warn that more outbreaks could occur if vaccine coverage remains low.
Measles outbreaks have also been reported this year in Alaska, Georgia, New York, and Rhode Island, with most cases occurring in unvaccinated individuals. The CDC warns that maintaining a 95 percent vaccination rate is crucial to preventing the spread of measles.
The Washington Post, Axios, and the New York Times contributed to this report.
