According to a Feb. 22 article from The New York Times, outbreaks of measles in parts of Texas and New Mexico have increased according to state health officials.
We reported on this outbreak earlier in February.
The article stated, “An outbreak has been spreading through the South Plains region of Texas since late January, the Texas Department of State Health Services said on Friday. Measles vaccination rates in the region lag significantly below federal targets.
“On Friday, the department confirmed 90 cases of measles, with at least 77 of them being children. Sixteen people have been hospitalized, the department said.”
According to an article from BBC, “Health officials in Texas say their figures are likely to be an underestimate, as some parents may not report infections or may not realize their child has the disease.”
Further, the article said, “In Texas, federal data shows that the state achieved a 94.3% vaccination rate among kindergarteners for the 2023-2024 school year, while New Mexico reached 95%.
“But a state survey of Texas schools found that rates of exemptions were ticking upwards for MMR and other required vaccines.
“In Gaines County, where 57 of the Texas cases were reported, exemptions have surged over the last decade. State data shows 17.62% of students had a conscientious exemption to at least one required vaccine during the 2023-2024 school year, up from 7.45% in the 2013-2014 year.”
The neighboring county, Terry, which has 20 cases, saw exemption rates rise from zero to 3.73% over the same period of time.
Texas officials, according to BBC, reported that of the 90 cases in their state, 85 were in people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unclear.
A Feb. 23 article from CBS News reported that two Texas universities—Texas State and the University of Texas at San Antonio—and their surrounding communities have issued warnings about potential exposure to measles after giving campus tours.
The article stated, “The Hays County Health Department said a Gaines County resident visited San Marcos, where Texas State is located, on Feb. 14. That individual has since tested positive for measles.
“The agency said those who were on the Texas State campus between approximately 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and/or at Twin Peaks Restaurant from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Feb. 14 may be at risk of developing measles.
“The following day, Feb. 15, a Gaines County resident who has since tested positive for measles, toured the University of Texas at San Antonio.”
Janette Wider | Editor-in-Chief
Janette Wider is Editor-in-Chief for Healthcare Purchasing News.
