The number of measles cases in Texas has reached 90, marking the largest outbreak in the state in more than three decades, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Health officials attribute the rapid spread to low vaccination rates, with 16 people hospitalized so far.
The outbreak, which began in late January, has escalated quickly, with 32 new cases reported this week alone. Most of those infected are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status, while only five cases have been confirmed among vaccinated individuals.
"We have a high, high number of unvaccinated," said Tonya Guffey, chief nursing officer at Seminole District Hospital in Gaines County, which has seen the highest concentration of cases. "It's not that they're not educated. It's just what their belief is."
Children and Teens Hit Hardest
The outbreak has disproportionately affected children and teenagers, with 51 cases among those aged 5 to 17 and 26 cases in children under 4.
Gaines County remains the epicenter of the outbreak, reporting 57 confirmed cases. The county also has one of the highest vaccine exemption rates in Texas, with nearly 18% of kindergarteners opting out of at least one vaccine in the 2023-24 school year. A decade ago, that number stood at 7.5%, highlighting a sharp rise in vaccine hesitancy.
Neighboring Terry County and parts of New Mexico have also reported cases, with nine confirmed infections in New Mexico's Lea County, which borders Texas.
Health Officials Urge Vaccination Amid Rapid Spread
Measles is considered one of the most contagious diseases, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to an infected person will contract the virus. The virus spreads through the air and can linger for up to two hours after an infected individual leaves a space.
The CDC recommends two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, with the first dose given between 12 to 15 months old and the second at ages 4 to 6. The vaccine is 97% effective with both doses and has been available since 1963.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician and chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, urged Texans to get vaccinated. The MMR vaccine “”has been proven safe & effective since 1963," Cassidy posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Role Raises Concern
The outbreak comes during the first week of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s tenure as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has a long history of spreading vaccine misinformation, including the debunked claim that childhood vaccines increase the risk of autism. During his Senate confirmation hearings, Kennedy declined to retract his past statements, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not commented on the outbreak or how it plans to respond under Kennedy's leadership.
Measles Cases Rising Nationwide
The Texas outbreak is part of a broader rise in measles cases across the U.S.. The CDC has confirmed 14 cases in five states this year, a figure that does not yet include the Texas or New Mexico cases.
Last year, the U.S. recorded 285 measles cases, the highest total since 2019. Public health officials warn that the decline in vaccination rates could lead to more frequent and severe outbreaks in the coming years.
