Measles outbreak in Texas: what you should know

The United States is facing a growing measles outbreak, and Texas is one of the major hotspots. The highly contagious virus has already infected at least 48 people in the state, the worst outbreak in nearly three decades. It is mainly concentrated in Gaines County, a rural area with a significant Mennonite population where vaccination rates are well below national targets. Health officials have warned that if immediate action is not taken, the outbreak will spread further, both within and outside Texas.

Measles is not just a local problem; it is a global health concern. In 2023, more than 10 million people worldwide were infected with the virus. Although measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, there have been some outbreaks, as was the case in 2019, when a large outbreak in New York and other states nearly cost the United States its elimination status, with about 1,300 cases reported. Now, after a decline in cases during the Covid pandemic, measles is making a resurgence both globally and domestically.

Measles in Texas

The current outbreak in Texas is centered in Gaines County, which borders New Mexico. The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported that all confirmed cases are in unvaccinated individuals.

So far, 13 patients —mostly school-aged children— have been hospitalized, with many requiring intensive care. The outbreak is believed to include cases that have not been reported, and authorities estimate that 200 to 300 people may already be infected, but no testing has been done.

Gaines County has one of the highest vaccination exemption rates in Texas. State data show that last year only 82% of elementary school students in the area received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR), well below the federal target of 95%. In private schools and homeschooling communities, the vaccination rate is even lower.

How is measles spread and what are the symptoms?

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. It is spread through the respiratory tract and can remain airborne for hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a characteristic red rash. Although most people recover, measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling and even death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five unvaccinated people who contract measles will be hospitalized. For young children and people with weakened immune systems, the disease can be especially dangerous.

Declining vaccination rates and public misinformation

The increase in vaccination exemptions in Texas and the rest of the United States is raising concerns among public health experts. Nationwide, vaccination rates have declined since the pandemic, and coverage is now less than 93%. An estimated 280,000 preschool children lack documentation of MMR vaccination.

Texas law mandates vaccination of children in public schools, but allows exemptions for “conscientious reasons,” including religious beliefs. In Gaines County, more than 13% of K-12 students received a vaccine exemption last year, one of the highest rates in the state.

Misinformation about vaccines has compounded the problem. Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a critic of childhood vaccines, was recently appointed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. His controversial stance on immunization has raised fears of increased skepticism about vaccines, leading to more outbreaks of preventable diseases.

In response to the outbreak, health authorities have established emergency vaccination centers, including self-service clinics in Seminole, the county seat of Gaines County. The CDC has shipped 2,000 doses of MMR vaccine to Texas, but most is being used to provide booster doses rather than reaching the unvaccinated population at all.

Are there cases in other states?

The outbreak is not limited to Texas. Other states such as New Mexico, Alaska, Georgia, New York or Rhode Island have reported cases this year. New Mexico health officials recently confirmed a case in a teenager who had not traveled to Texas, raising concerns about the spread in the community.

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