Measles Outbreak in West Texas Grows to 48 Cases, Officials Urge Vaccination
The measles outbreak in West Texas has surged to 48 cases, primarily affecting unvaccinated children in under-vaccinated communities.
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Without widespread vaccination, experts say, the outbreak could go on for months.
In rural West Texas, a measles outbreak grows with no end in sight
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The outbreak has spread from its epicenter in Gaines County, with single-digit cases in nearby Lynn, Terry and Yoakum counties.
Texas measles outbreak rises to 48 cases. It's the state's worst in nearly 30 years
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Gaines County has one of the highest rates in Texas of school-aged children who opt out of at least one required vaccine, with nearly 14% of K-12 children in the 2023-24 school year.
Measles Outbreak Rises To 48 Cases, Texas's Worst In Nearly 30 Years
HuffPost·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The outbreak is in a sparsely populated swath of rural Texas, near the New Mexico border, and has spread from its epicenter in Gaines County to include single-digit cases in Lynn, Terry and Yoakum counties.
Texas measles outbreak rises to 48 cases. It's the state's worst in nearly 30 years
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Measles is one of the most infectious known diseases.
Measles outbreak in undervaccinated Texas area doubles—again
ARS Technica·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The outbreak is the most severe Texas has seen in 30 years.
Measles Outbreak Hits Rural Texas, 13 Hospitalized
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Coverage of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is particularly low in Gaines County, where nearly 1 in 5 incoming kindergartners in the 2023-24 school year did not get the vaccine.
West Texas measles outbreak doubles to 48 cases
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Summary
The measles outbreak in West Texas has surged to 48 confirmed cases, doubling since Tuesday, with most cases in unvaccinated children and expanding to nearby counties. All cases are linked to under-vaccinated communities, particularly a Mennonite group in Gaines County, where vaccination rates are roughly 82% among kindergartners. Thirteen individuals have been hospitalized, a significant increase in severity as Texas faces its worst outbreak in nearly 30 years. Health officials stress the importance of vaccination, combat misinformation, and are boosting vaccination access in the area, with related cases also reported in Lynn, Terry, and Yoakum Counties.
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History
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