LUBBOCK, TEXAS — The worst measles outbreak in Texas in decades continues to escalate, with state health officials now reporting 597 confirmed cases — a 36-case spike since Friday. The virus has spread across 25 counties, prompting a state-wide health response costing taxpayers $4.5 million and claiming the lives of two children.
The most recent counties to report cases are Potter and Parmer, each logging their first infections. Since January, 62 patients have required hospitalization, with most infections centered in Gaines County, which alone has recorded 371 cases.
Children at the Epicenter
The outbreak is disproportionately affecting young people:
- 182 cases involve children under age 5
- 219 cases are among 5–17-year-olds
- Only 172 cases are adults
On February 26, a 6-year-old unvaccinated child became the state’s first measles fatality in over a decade. A second death occurred on April 3, involving another unvaccinated 8-year-old girl. In neighboring New Mexico, a third death — an adult in Lea County — may also be linked to the outbreak.
The Cost of Delayed Vaccination
Despite widespread access to the MMR vaccine — which is 97% effective — the overwhelming majority of those infected were unvaccinated. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, only 22 people who caught measles during this outbreak had been fully vaccinated.
Dr. Peter Hotez, a prominent vaccine advocate at Baylor College of Medicine, emphasized the importance of verifying vaccination status. “There’s no harm in receiving an additional MMR shot,” he said, especially for adults born before vaccine mandates were introduced in 1980.
How Measles Spreads — and Why It’s So Dangerous
Measles is among the most contagious viruses known. Nine out of ten unvaccinated people will become infected if exposed. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours — turning schools, daycares, and hospitals into hot zones for transmission.
Pediatric infectious disease expert Patsy Stinchfield, who treated children during past outbreaks in Minnesota, described measles cases as “some of the sickest children I’ve ever seen. They’re limp, dehydrated, and miserable.”
Spring Break, SXSW Travel Raises Red Flags
Officials warn that recent travel for spring break and large gatherings like South by Southwest (SXSW) may cause further spread. El Paso County, nearly 260 miles from the outbreak’s epicenter, has already seen 18 cases.
School districts are implementing preventative measures, including excluding exposed or infected students from attending school or activities for 21 days.
Local Leaders Sound the Alarm
“This is a wake-up call,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, as the city confirmed its first measles case in 24 years. “Vaccination remains the best defense against this deadly disease.“
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett echoed the urgency: “Measles can kill. Ignorance can kill. Vaccine denial definitely kills.”
In response, Travis County is ramping up vaccine efforts through low-cost programs like Shots for Tots, Big Shots, and mobile immunization clinics — especially critical in areas with low vaccination rates.
The Bigger Picture: A Return of a Once-Eliminated Virus
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, thanks to robust vaccination campaigns. But vaccine hesitancy and misinformation have led to pockets of under-immunized communities, giving the virus a new foothold.
Health officials say they still don’t know exactly how the virus entered Gaines County, but they warn that without increased immunization, more outbreaks are likely to follow.
📢 Public Health Reminder:
If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, check your records or consult a healthcare provider. The MMR vaccine is safe, widely available, and highly effective.
Credits: The Texas Tribune
