Texas measles outbreak reaches 90 cases, highest in 30 years

As of Friday, Texas health officials reported that the measles outbreak in the South Plains region has now reached 90 cases, the highest number in three decades. Of these, at least 16 individuals have been hospitalized, and the majority of those infected are children and teenagers. In particular, minors aged 5 to 17 account for 51 cases, while children under four years old represent 26 cases.

Experts emphasize that due to the highly contagious nature of measles, the outbreak is expected to spread further, both within the affected areas and into neighboring regions. For example, nine measles cases have already been reported in Lea County, New Mexico, which borders the Texas outbreak area. The outbreak, first detected in late January, highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding vaccination and public health.

Gaines County, located in rural western Texas, has become the epicenter of the outbreak, with 57 confirmed cases. The county, which has a population of just over 22,500, is noted for having one of the highest vaccination exemption rates in the state for the 2023-24 school year. Nearly 18% of students in the county opted out of immunizations, contributing to the spread of measles.

The high rate of unvaccinated individuals in Gaines County is largely attributed to the local Mennonite population, which, according to health officials, adheres to a religious belief that discourages vaccination. Tonya Guffey, Chief Nursing Officer at Seminole Hospital District, shared with NBC News that although there is a high level of education in the community, vaccination is viewed as a personal choice. Guffey added that while efforts are made to educate the public, the decision to vaccinate remains with the individual.

This outbreak is part of a broader trend in the U.S. where vaccination rates have been declining. In 2024, the U.S. recorded 285 measles cases, the highest number since 2019. The majority of cases in 2024 were in children under five years old, who accounted for 42% of all cases. This uptick in measles cases is of particular concern, as the disease had been nearly eradicated in the U.S. before a rise in vaccine skepticism in recent years.

The measles outbreak coincides with the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known anti-vaccine advocate, as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump. Kennedy, who has a long history of promoting vaccine conspiracy theories, has already criticized several public health initiatives, including CDC campaigns aimed at promoting vaccinations. His controversial views have sparked a national debate over the role of government in enforcing vaccine mandates, with many health experts concerned about the impact of such rhetoric on public health.

This political development has added to the ongoing controversy surrounding vaccine misinformation, which many experts argue is contributing to the current outbreak and other vaccine-preventable illnesses.

Health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination as the best means to prevent the spread of measles and other contagious diseases. Given the contagious nature of measles, the Texas outbreak could expand further if immunization rates do not improve. Local authorities and healthcare providers are working to encourage vaccinations, especially in communities with high exemption rates. However, with the ongoing political and cultural debates surrounding vaccinations, achieving widespread vaccine compliance remains a significant challenge.