Texas Measles Outbreak Grows to 48 Cases, Worst in Decades \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A measles outbreak in West Texas has doubled to 48 cases, making it the state’s largest outbreak in nearly three decades. The cases, primarily affecting unvaccinated children and teens, are concentrated in an undervaccinated Mennonite community in Gaines County. Health officials are ramping up screening and vaccination efforts as the outbreak spreads to nearby counties and even New Mexico.
Texas’ Largest Measles Outbreak in 30 Years: Quick Looks
- Outbreak Doubles to 48 Cases – The outbreak has spread rapidly, mostly affecting children and teenagers.
- Low Vaccination Rates a Factor – Most infected individuals are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
- Mennonite Community Impacted – The outbreak is concentrated in an undervaccinated, close-knit rural community.
- Spreading Beyond Gaines County – Cases have now been confirmed in Lynn, Terry, and Yoakum counties, with one case in New Mexico.
- Hospitalizations Rising – Thirteen people have been hospitalized due to complications.
- Statewide Vaccination Exemptions Increasing – Texas vaccine exemptions have tripled over the past decade, reaching 2.32% in 2023.
Deep Look
A measles outbreak in rural West Texas has doubled in size, with 48 confirmed cases, making it the state’s largest outbreak since 1996. Health officials warn that low vaccination rates and limited healthcare access have allowed the virus to spread rapidly.
The outbreak is centered in Gaines County, a highly rural area near the New Mexico border, where a close-knit Mennonite community has been heavily impacted.
State health officials confirmed on Friday that all reported cases involve individuals who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. The surge has led to 13 hospitalizations, raising concerns about severe complications in a community with limited healthcare infrastructure.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is now working with local officials, schools, and medical providers to increase screenings, expand vaccination efforts, and educate families about the risks of measles.
Low Vaccination Rates Contribute to Rapid Spread
One of the primary reasons the outbreak has escalated so quickly is low vaccination rates within the affected community.
Gaines County has one of the highest vaccine exemption rates in Texas, with nearly 14% of K-12 students opting out of at least one required vaccine during the 2023-24 school year. However, public health officials believe the true number of unvaccinated children is even higher, as many children in this region are homeschooled and not included in state-reported exemption data.
According to Lara Anton, spokesperson for Texas DSHS, the issue is not religious opposition from the Mennonite community itself but rather a general lack of engagement with routine healthcare services.
“The church isn’t the reason they’re not vaccinated. It’s personal choice. The community doesn’t go and get regular healthcare,” Anton explained.
Despite repeated public health campaigns, vaccine hesitancy has grown across Texas in recent years. The state allows vaccine exemptions for religious and personal beliefs, and the percentage of families choosing to opt out has tripled over the last decade, rising from 0.76% in 2014 to 2.32% in 2023.
Measles Spreads Beyond Gaines County, Reaches New Mexico
While the majority of cases remain concentrated in Gaines County, the outbreak has now spread to neighboring counties, including Lynn, Terry, and Yoakum counties.
One measles case was also confirmed in Lea County, New Mexico, where an unvaccinated teenager with no travel history tested positive. Health officials in New Mexico issued a public advisory urging residents to check their vaccination records and watch for symptoms.
The rapid expansion of the outbreak has raised concerns that more cases may emerge in the coming weeks as health officials work to contain the spread.
Measles: A Highly Contagious and Dangerous Disease
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, with the virus capable of surviving in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals will contract the virus if exposed.
Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, the U.S. saw 3 to 4 million cases annually. Thanks to widespread immunization, cases dropped significantly, with annual infections now typically below 200.
However, measles cases in the U.S. have been rising, largely due to vaccine hesitancy. In 2024, a major outbreak in Chicago infected over 60 people, underscoring how quickly the virus can spread in undervaccinated communities.
Texas Health Officials Ramp Up Vaccination Efforts
In response to the outbreak, the Texas Department of State Health Services is collaborating with local schools, churches, and healthcare providers to increase vaccinations and screenings.
Efforts include:
- Organizing pop-up vaccination clinics in affected areas.
- Educating teachers and school officials on how to identify early symptoms of measles.
- Encouraging families to update their children’s immunizations before the virus spreads further.
Despite these efforts, some families in Gaines County remain hesitant to vaccinate, citing concerns over vaccine safety and side effects.
What’s Next?
Public health officials warn that without increased vaccinations, the outbreak could continue to spread across rural Texas and beyond.
The situation in Gaines County highlights a larger public health challenge in the U.S., as vaccine skepticism grows and exemptions rise. Experts fear that if vaccination rates continue to decline, more outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles could become common.
As Texas battles its worst measles outbreak in nearly 30 years, the focus remains on containing the virus and increasing immunization rates before more communities are affected.
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