Measles cases in Texas and New Mexico have surged to 317 as of Tuesday, up from 294 just four days earlier. This marks one of the largest measles outbreaks in the United States in the past decade.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the country has already surpassed last year’s total of 285 measles infections. Gaines County in Texas, the epicenter of the outbreak, reported 191 cases on Tuesday, an increase from 174 cases on March 14. To date, 36 patients have been hospitalized across the state.
In neighboring Oklahoma, health officials reported four probable cases of unvaccinated individuals who were exposed to the outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico and are exhibiting measles-like symptoms.
Tragically, an unvaccinated child without underlying health conditions died of measles in Texas in February—the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015. Another death of an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico is currently under investigation.
The CDC emphasizes that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the most effective tool for preventing measles. Health officials are urging everyone, especially children and young adults, to get vaccinated to curb the spread of this highly contagious disease.
