The measles outbreak in Texas has started to show signs of easing, with less than ten new cases reported over the past week. Despite this positive development, experts warn that the outbreak is not entirely over.
Dr. Manisha Patel, the incident manager at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explained that while the outbreak seems to be stabilizing, affected states remain on high alert, particularly due to the ongoing travel season. The southwestern outbreak has impacted neighboring states as well, including New Mexico and Oklahoma. The persistent threat comes amid a period of heightened global measles activity.
In the United States, there are currently 1,024 confirmed measles cases, reflecting a weekly increase of 23 cases. Texas, however, remains the epicenter, accounting for the majority of these cases.
In North America, there are additional significant outbreaks. Ontario, Canada, has reported 1,622 cases from mid-October to mid-May, with 182 new cases in one week. Meanwhile, Alberta has seen 409 cases as of late last week. In Mexico’s Chihuahua state, there have been 1,306 cases and one death attributed to measles.
The southwest U.S. outbreak has resulted in three fatalities—two school-aged children in West Texas and one adult in New Mexico. All individuals were unvaccinated. Besides Texas, other states experiencing active outbreaks include Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
Measles, caused by an airborne virus, is highly infectious but preventable with vaccinations. Although it was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, the current scenario emphasizes the importance of the vaccine.
As reported by Texas health officials, there are 718 cases spreading across 32 counties, primarily concentrated in West Texas. Hospitalizations due to the outbreak have remained steady at 93 cases. Notably, Gaines County, with a population of about 22,892, has been the most affected, reporting 406 cases, mainly among an undervaccinated Mennonite community.
Tragically, there have been two deaths in Texas, involving unvaccinated children with no underlying health conditions. The state health department also noted that the outbreak began in late January in Gaines County.
In New Mexico, the total count of measles cases stands at 73, with two recent additions. Most cases are centered in Lea County, while Eddy, Doña Ana, Chaves, and Curry counties report fewer cases. The death of an adult who failed to seek medical care highlights the seriousness of the situation.
Oklahoma’s case count remains at 14 confirmed cases, with three additional probable cases. Although the health department has not specified affected counties, previous exposures have been reported in Cleveland, Oklahoma, and Sequoyah counties.
Elsewhere, Kansas has reported 56 cases spread over 10 counties, with the majority linked to Gray County. Meanwhile, Indiana and Michigan have encountered localized outbreaks, with the latter tied to the Ontario outbreak.
Montana, which has not faced measles in 35 years, records eight cases due to an outbreak starting in Gallatin County in mid-April. The proximity of outbreaks in North Dakota and Canadian provinces adds to the challenge.
North Dakota, having remained measles-free since 2011, now reports 12 cases, primarily in Williams County. This situation marks a worrying trend of community transmission, with cases traced back to an unvaccinated child.
In Ohio, 34 cases have been recorded, primarily in Ashtabula and Knox counties. Additionally, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have reported 15 and six cases, respectively, with the former experiencing an outbreak tied to international travel.
The outbreak in the U.S. is exacerbated by cases brought in from abroad, primarily by unvaccinated Americans returning home. The CDC notes a doubling in internationally sourced measles compared to the same period last year. The resurgence has raised concerns about the U.S. potentially losing its declaration of measles elimination.
Vaccination is the best preventive measure, with the MMR vaccine recommended for children starting at 12 to 15 months and a booster between 4 and 6 years. For adults unsure of their immune status, an additional MMR shot is considered safe. The decline in nationwide vaccination rates and growing exemption waivers pose further challenges in controlling outbreaks.
Symptoms of measles include high fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a rash. Infection can lead to severe complications, such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and potentially, death. Although there’s no specific treatment, response efforts focus on alleviating symptoms and preventing complications.