February 20th, 2025 | Austin
In the oil towns of west Texas, a significant measles outbreak is drawing attention and raising concerns about medical freedom. At least 58 individuals have been infected, and 13 have been hospitalized, marking the largest surge of measles cases in Texas in 30 years. Health officials estimate that hundreds more cases remain undetected, posing a substantial public health challenge.
Gaines County, where the outbreak originated, reported the third-highest percentage of children exempt from measles and other vaccines due to religious or philosophical reasons last year. In the decade leading up to 2023, the rate of schoolchildren lacking the recommended vaccinations more than doubled, increasing from 7% to 18%. This troubling trend has sparked a debate over the balance between personal choice and public health.
This article originally appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Vax Populi” on February 22nd, 2025. The outbreak is part of a larger conversation about health and safety in the U.S., where discussions around medical freedom continue to gain momentum.
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