Texas’ measles outbreak explodes to 561 cases

The measles outbreak in Texas continues to escalate, with state health officials reporting 561 confirmed cases across 23 counties. This marks a significant increase from the previous count of 541 cases on April 11. Gaines County, located in west Texas, has seen a spike in cases, with numbers jumping from 355 to 364. This county now makes up nearly 65% of the total cases in the state.

In response to the outbreak, the U.S. government is sending seven personnel to Texas to assist in combating the spread of the virus. Dr. David Sugerman from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided an update on the response efforts, stating that the CDC had already deployed 15 personnel to Texas and planned to send a second team to the state. However, Sugerman highlighted challenges due to the cancellation of federal grants to states, which has hindered the response efforts.

Tragically, a second child with measles has died in Texas, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Local public health officials warn that the outbreak could last up to a year. Dr. Katherine Wells, director of Lubbock Public Health, expressed concern that if the outbreak continues into 2026, the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status, which was achieved in 2000.

Texas health officials have noted that only 4% of the confirmed cases are currently considered “actively infectious,” with individuals being contagious four days prior to and after the onset of the measles rash. Among those infected, children under the age of 18 make up the largest demographic, with 381 cases reported. Two school-aged children who were not vaccinated and had no underlying conditions have tragically passed away.

Interestingly, health officials have reported cases of measles in individuals who were fully vaccinated as well as those who had only received one dose of the vaccine. The majority of cases, however, were in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.

As the measles outbreak in Texas intensifies, it is imperative for the public to stay informed and take necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the virus. The U.S. government’s response efforts, along with local health authorities, are crucial in containing the outbreak and protecting the community from the devastating effects of measles.

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