A measles outbreak in Texas grew to 58 cases over the course of about a month as of February 18, 2025, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The first 2 cases were detected in January. As of this week, the vast majority of cases were reported in Gaines County. All but 4 cases involve either unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, according to the department, and confirmed cases are primarily among children 5 to 17 years old. Thirteen patients have required hospitalization. Because measles is a highly contagious airborne disease, officials predict more cases will be forthcoming. Although measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, declining vaccination rates have contributed to a resurgence. By comparison, in 2023, the United States recorded 285 total measles cases. So far this year, cases have been reported in Texas, Alaska, New Mexico, Georgia, Rhode Island, and New York.
Skeptical on preventive measures: Vaccine exemptions are on the rise. About 280,000 kindergarteners who attended school in 2023-2024 did not have a measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Year-over-year, exemptions from one or more vaccines among kindergartners increased from 3.0% to 3.3% in the school year as well.
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