Measles outbreak in West Texas grows, all cases involve unvaccinated individuals

A measles outbreak in Gaines County, West Texas, has expanded to 10 cases, with most involving school-aged children, according to Texas health officials. All affected individuals were unvaccinated, and seven have required hospitalization.

Gaines County, which has a population of about 22,000 and borders New Mexico, initially reported two cases in January. The number increased to six earlier this week and has since risen further. Officials warn that additional cases are likely due to the highly contagious nature of the disease.

Texas is not alone in facing new measles infections. In January, Harris County also reported cases, marking the first confirmed measles infections in Texas since 2023. The two cases in Harris County involved unvaccinated adults.

Measles is an airborne virus that spreads easily and can cause fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive rash. In severe cases, complications can lead to hospitalization or death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 40% of the 245 measles cases in the U.S. last year required hospitalization, with more than half of those hospitalized being children under five.

Measles cases have surged in recent years, reversing progress made since the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. By March 2024, the number of cases reported nationwide had already surpassed the total for all of 2023.

The outbreak comes amid declining measles vaccination rates in Texas. Among kindergarteners, the vaccination rate dropped from 97% in the 2019-20 school year to 94.3% in 2023-24. Meanwhile, the number of vaccine exemption requests in Texas has doubled from 45,900 in 2018 to 93,000 in 2024.

Texas lawmakers have introduced over 20 bills this legislative session aimed at reducing vaccine mandates. One proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution would formally establish the right to refuse vaccination.

Health officials continue to stress that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is given in two doses: the first between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is about 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses provide 97% protection.

“Young children who are too young to be vaccinated face the highest risk of severe complications,” Texas health officials stated in a recent release. “However, each MMR dose significantly reduces the risk of infection and severity of illness.”