West Texas Measles Outbreak Expands to 58 Cases: What You Need to Know, Even if You’re Vaccinated | CNN

The measles outbreak in West Texas is serious. As of now, there are 58 confirmed cases, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Most of these cases are in Gaines County, where 45 people have been infected. Nearby counties like Terry (9 cases), Yoakum (2 cases), Lynn (1 case), and Lubbock (1 case) are also reporting infections.

The majority of those affected are children aged 5 to 17. While many of these cases appear in unvaccinated or uncertain vaccination status individuals, there are four cases in vaccinated people, though details about them aren’t available yet.

Symptoms for all cases started in the last three weeks, and 13 individuals have required hospitalization.

Health officials in West Texas are responding by offering free vaccination clinics for the community. So far, around 95 measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations have been given at a clinic run by the South Plains Public Health District. To improve access, they’re now open every day for vaccinations.

Measles spreads easily, so health experts are concerned that the number of cases might continue to increase.

This illness is airborne and can cause symptoms such as a rash, fever, red eyes, and coughing. In severe cases, it can lead to serious problems like pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death.

Vaccination coverage is low in Gaines County, with nearly 1 in 5 kindergarteners not fully vaccinated for the upcoming school year. Other affected counties, like Lynn, Lubbock, and Yoakum, are also below the recommended 95% vaccination rate that public health officials set to prevent outbreaks.

In fact, the US has not met this vaccination threshold for four years running.

Adding to the concern, Lea County in New Mexico, which borders Gaines County, has reported eight measles cases. Six of these individuals were unvaccinated, while two claimed to have received their vaccinations. None of these cases required hospitalization.

The New Mexico health department is also holding free vaccination clinics in Lea County.

Last year, the US saw 285 measles cases, the highest number since 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It’s important for communities to stay informed and prioritize vaccinations to protect against outbreaks.