Rising Measles Cases and Spread to Other States
Texas is experiencing its rising Measles Outbreak in nearly 30 years, with confirmed cases reaching 48, according to state health officials. The outbreak has already resulted in at least 13 hospitalizations, and experts warn that more cases are expected. The outbreak is primarily centered in Gaines County, Texas, but concerns are growing as measles cases have also been reported in other states.
New Mexico confirmed its first case last week in a teenager who had no travel history to Texas, raising questions about how the virus is spreading. Other states, including Alaska, Georgia, New York, and Rhode Island, have also recorded measles cases this year, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dr. Céline Gounder, a medical contributor and public health expert at KFF Health News, attributed the outbreak to declining vaccination rates. She noted that even a small drop in coverage could lead to outbreaks. “This outbreak began in a rural Mennonite community with very low vaccination rates,” she said, adding that vaccine exemptions in Texas have significantly increased in recent years.
Highly Contagious Disease and the Importance of Vaccination because of Measles Outbreak
Measles Outbreak is considered one of the most contagious infectious diseases. According to Dr. Gounder, preventing an outbreak requires a very high vaccination rate. “Even a slight decline from 95% to 93% coverage can make a community vulnerable,” she warned.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective in preventing the disease. “Two doses provide 97% protection,” Gounder said, emphasizing that hundreds of millions of doses have been administered worldwide with proven safety. Before the vaccine was introduced in the 1960s, measles claimed the lives of 400 to 500 Americans annually, most of them children.
Recent studies suggest that vaccine hesitancy is on the rise. A KFF survey found that 17% of parents have delayed or skipped vaccines for their children, a significant increase from 10% just two years ago. “Many of these concerns about vaccines are not supported by scientific evidence,” Gounder added.
Symptoms and Risks Associated with Measles
Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure, initially resembling a common viral illness. Early signs include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. A few days later, tiny white spots may develop inside the mouth, followed by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body.
High fever, sometimes reaching 104°F, can signal severe infection. Complications can be life-threatening, with measles potentially leading to pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. CDC data show that 1 in 20 children with measles develops pneumonia, 1 in 1,000 experiences brain swelling, and up to 3 in 1,000 die from the disease.
Health officials continue urging parents to ensure their children receive the MMR vaccine to prevent further spread. As the outbreak grows, experts stress that vaccination remains the most effective way to protect individuals and communities from measles-related complications.
