The measles outbreak in West Texas has surged to 48 confirmed cases, primarily affecting children and adolescents, which makes it the largest outbreak in nearly three decades in the state.
State health officials announced on Friday that those affected are largely unvaccinated or have uncertain vaccination statuses, leading to 13 hospitalizations among the cases identified. The outbreak has emerged predominantly within a “close-knit, undervaccinated” Mennonite community. According to Lara Anton, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services, the families residing in the rural Gaines County often opt for small private schools or choose to homeschool their children.
Anton clarified that the lack of vaccinations is not a direct result of church influence but rather a reflection of personal choices made by families within the community. She emphasized that the culture is one where regular healthcare appointments are not prioritized, leading to lower vaccination rates.
The state is collaborating with local health authorities to enhance vaccination campaigns and health screenings. Efforts are also underway to inform school administrators about the symptoms of measles and to advocate for vaccinations among families.
This outbreak is occurring in a sparsely populated region of rural Texas, close to the New Mexico border. Initially focused in Gaines County, the outbreak has also reached Lynn, Terry, and Yoakum counties, where isolated cases have emerged. Additionally, a case was documented in Lea County, New Mexico; public health officials there alerted residents following the report of an unvaccinated teenager who exhibited measles symptoms but had no connections to recent travel or known cases from Texas.
Historical data from the Texas Department of State Health Services reveals that 49 measles cases were recorded in the state in 1996, with 27 cases reported in 2013 after a traveler from Asia returned to a community hesitant about vaccinations.
Measles is an extremely contagious virus that can remain airborne for up to two hours, with statistics indicating that 90% of susceptible individuals will contract the virus if exposed. In the years prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, the United States experienced approximately 3 million to 4 million cases annually. Nowadays, the annual count typically stays below 200.
In 2024, there was a notable rise in measles cases across the U.S. This includes a significant outbreak in Chicago affecting more than 60 individuals.
In the U.S., kindergarteners are usually required to receive vaccinations against measles, which involves a two-shot series for enrollment in public schools. Texas law permits children to be exempt from vaccine requirements for various reasons, including personal belief systems and religious convictions. The rate of exemptions has noticeably increased from 0.76% in 2014 to 2.32% last year, according to state statistics.
Gaines County stands out as having one of the highest exemption rates in Texas, with nearly 14% of school-aged children in the 2023-24 academic year opting out of at least one mandatory vaccination. Health officials suspect that the actual figures may be much higher due to the exclusion of homeschooled children from reported data.
