In a significant public health concern, Ninety cases of measles have been reported in Texas within a span of less than a month. This alarming outbreak marks the worst case of the disease in the border state in over three decades, with at least 16 individuals requiring hospitalization. The neighboring state of New Mexico has also reported nine cases.
Health officials from the Texas Department of State Health Services indicate that the outbreak is primarily concentrated in the northwest region of the state. Notably, 77 of the reported cases involve children, with 26 being 4 years old or younger. This highlights the vulnerability of young children to this highly contagious viral disease.
Measles is a viral illness known for its contagious nature and potential to be deadly. Initial symptoms typically include fever, cough, sore throat, and conjunctivitis. One of the distinguishing features of the disease is the presence of white spots inside the mouth, followed by a widespread rash.
Historically, measles was responsible for 2.6 million deaths annually worldwide, including 12,000 in the Americas. The introduction of the first measles vaccine in 1963 led to a significant drop in cases, with the US witnessing a 97 percent reduction between 1965 and 1968. Extensive vaccination campaigns further reduced global cases by 95 percent from 1980 to 2015, thanks to the combined MMR vaccine administered in two doses beginning at age one.
Despite the proven benefits of vaccination, skepticism about vaccines, including the MMR vaccine, has spread worldwide. The current outbreak in Texas is largely centered in Gaines County, which has a high vaccine exemption rate of 18 percent. Many affected patients are children whose parents opted out of immunization.
While most US states require students to receive the MMR vaccine for school attendance, some states, including Texas, permit vaccine exemptions for nonmedical reasons. In this outbreak, a staggering 85 out of 90 measles cases involve unvaccinated individuals.
Albert Pilkington, CEO of the Seminole Hospital District in Gaines County, emphasized the importance of choice in vaccination, stating, “We respect everyone’s right to get vaccinated or not. That’s what being an American is all about, isn’t it?”
In 2024, the US reported 285 measles cases, the highest since 2019, with 42 percent involving children under five. The outlook for disease prevention appears grim, especially following the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Known for his anti-vaccine stance, Kennedy has been a prominent figure spreading vaccine misinformation, linking vaccines to autism and ADHD.
Neither Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nor Texas governor Greg Abbott have commented on the state’s health emergency. Requests for comment from WIRED went unanswered.
This article was originally published on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.
