tHis outbreak of measles in rural western Texas has grown to 58 cases as of Tuesday, with eight people in neighboring eastern New Mexico also diagnosed with measles.
Public health officials in New Mexico said they suspect some of the state's incidents are linked to the Texas outbreak, but have not confirmed it.
Measles is a very contagious disease. Here's what you need to know about how to protect yourself from measles and what's going on in Texas and New Mexico:
Where is measles spreading now?
The West Texas incident is concentrated in Gaines County, where 45 infections are present. There are nine confirmed cases in Terry County north, but Lubbock and Linn counties each have cases, while Yoakum county has two.
The Texas Department of Health said Monday that 13 people were hospitalized with measles.
State health officials say the outbreak is the largest in Texas in nearly 30 years. Lala Anton, a spokeswoman for the Health Department, said last week that cases were concentrated in “close, unbactinized” Mennonite communities.
At least three New Mexico cases are in Lee County, adjacent to Gaines County, Texas. The state health department says people may have been exposed to grocery stores, elementary schools, churches, Norley Hospital and Walgreens in Hobbs, New Mexico.
What is measles?
Measles paralyzes respiratory viruses that can survive in the air for up to 2 hours. Of the 10 most susceptible people, up to nine will ingest the virus if exposed. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most children recover from measles when they acquire measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, swelling of the brain, and death.
Is the vaccine safe?
yes, Measles, mumps, rupture (MMR) vaccines are safe and are extremely effective in preventing severe cases of measles infection and disease.
The first shot is recommended for children between 12-15 months and 4-6 years old. The vaccine series is needed for children before kindergarten in public schools across the country.
Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, the US saw approximately 3-4 million cases a year. Currently, it is usually under 200 in a normal year.
Despite the current differences in research and health disinformation, there is no link between vaccines and autism.
Why is vaccination rates important?
In communities with high vaccination rates, diseases like measles struggle to spread to communities, over 95%. This is called “swar immunity.”
However, childhood vaccination rates have fallen nationwide as the pandemic and more parents advocate for exemptions of religious or personal conscience to exempt children from the necessary shots .
In the US, measles cases increased in 2024. This included more than 60 outbreaks in Chicago that led to illness.
Gaines County has one of the highest rates in Texas for school-age children, with almost 14% of K-12 children from 2023-24, opting out of at least one needed vaccine. Health officials say the number is likely to be high as it does not include many children who are homeschooled and have no data reported.
What are public health officials doing to stop spreads?
Healthcare workers hold regular vaccination clinics and screening initiatives in Texas. They also work with schools to educate people about the importance of vaccinations and offering shots.
