A measles outbreak has been confirmed in Gaines County, Texas, with 15 cases reported, primarily among school-aged children. The outbreak is raising concerns due to the county’s high rate of vaccine exemptions, which is among the highest in the state.
Measles Cases in Gaines County, Texas: What We Know
According to Zach Holbrooks, director of the South Plains Public Health District. The first cases were identified in late January when two children sought medical attention in Lubbock. Since then, the number of confirmed infections has grown, with some cases linked to private religious schools.
“I wouldn’t say they’re all connected, but our teams are looking into exposure sites and the background of those cases,” said Holbrooks.
Local officials have responded by setting up a drive-thru vaccination clinic and offering screening services to residents.
Vaccine Exemptions in Texas and the Risk of Outbreaks
Texas law allows parents to opt out of vaccines for their children based on religious or personal beliefs. Over the last decade, the percentage of exempted students has increased from 0.76% in 2014 to 2.32% in 2023.
However, Gaines County, Texas, has an exemption rate of nearly 14%, which is more than five times the state average. The actual number of unvaccinated children could be even higher due to a significant homeschooling population in the county. According to Lara Anton, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Measles Resurgence in the U.S.
The U.S. has seen an increase in measles cases over the past year, with outbreaks in Chicago and Atlanta. Texas has also reported previous cases, including two in the Houston area earlier this year. However, health officials say there is no known connection between the Houston cases and the Gaines County outbreak.
One of the early Gaines County cases traveled to New Mexico while still contagious, but no additional infections have been reported so far.
Why the Measles Vaccine Matters
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a two-dose series, with the first dose recommended at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years old. Most public schools require this vaccine, but declining vaccination rates since the COVID-19 pandemic have left many communities vulnerable to outbreaks.
The CDC warns that measles is highly contagious, with the virus surviving in the air for up to two hours. Without vaccination, 9 out of 10 people exposed to the virus will become infected. Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, the U.S. saw 3 to 4 million cases per year. Today, annual cases typically remain under 200, but outbreaks remain a threat in under-vaccinated areas.Local health officials are urging residents in Gaines County, Texas, to get vaccinated to prevent further spread and protect the community.
Source: NBCNews