Texas health officials have confirmed that the number of measles cases in the state has surged to 146, marking the largest outbreak in nearly three decades. Tragically, a school-aged child succumbed to the disease earlier this week, marking the first U.S. measles-related death since 2015.
Since Tuesday, Texas has recorded 22 additional cases, with the majority concentrated in rural West Texas. Gaines County alone accounts for nearly 100 cases, and 20 patients have required hospitalization. According to state health officials, the outbreak has largely spread within a “close-knit, undervaccinated” Mennonite community.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed that the deceased child was treated at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock but was not a resident of Lubbock County.
Gaines County has one of the highest opt-out rates for school vaccinations in Texas. Nearly 14% of school-aged children in the county skipped at least one required vaccine dose last year. The number of unvaccinated children is likely even higher, as Texas does not track immunization rates for homeschooled students.
Texas law allows parents to claim exemptions from school vaccinations for religious or philosophical reasons, contributing to lower vaccination rates in certain communities. This decline is part of a national trend since the COVID-19 pandemic, with most states now falling below the 95% vaccination threshold needed to prevent measles outbreaks.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can linger in the air for up to two hours. While most children recover, the disease can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness, and even death.
Health officials continue to urge parents to vaccinate their children. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is considered safe and highly effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children receive their first dose between 12 to 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 to 6 years old.
Once considered eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, measles has seen a troubling resurgence in 2024. A separate outbreak in Chicago recently infected more than 60 people, and Eastern New Mexico has reported nine cases. However, New Mexico health officials have stated that their outbreak is not linked to the one in West Texas.
State and federal health agencies continue to monitor the situation and encourage widespread vaccination efforts to curb the spread of the disease.
