Texas is currently facing its most significant measles outbreak in nearly three decades, with 58 confirmed cases reported as of February 18, 2025. The outbreak began in Gaines County in late January and has since spread to neighboring counties, including Terry, Yoakum, Lubbock, and Lynn. The majority of those affected are unvaccinated individuals, with 13 hospitalizations reported. Health officials attribute the outbreak to low vaccination rates in the affected regions. The numbers continue to rise as reports come in, and more affected individuals seek treatment and medical aid.
What Are Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash that appears after initial symptoms. The virus can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, making it particularly challenging to contain. In Gaines County, nearly 20% of incoming kindergarten students for the 2023-2024 school year had not received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles impacts your respiratory tract and then spreads throughout your body.
Opposition Impacting Communities
This situation has been exacerbated by communities with high rates of nonmedical vaccine exemptions, including religious groups that oppose vaccination. In response to the outbreak, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) collaborates with local health authorities to investigate and contain the spread. They provide vaccines in clinics and urgent care centers and advise residents to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, which is highly effective in preventing measles.
Preventing the Spread
The DSHS emphasizes the importance of vaccination to prevent further spread of the disease and protect public health. Given the highly contagious nature of measles, additional cases are expected to continue occurring in Gaines County and the surrounding communities. The growing opinions of individuals who do not believe or trust vaccines compared to those who do has been a long-existing debate. Now, there are, once again, medical officials continuing to urge the public to think of not only their health but those of others in the communities around them. There is currently no update as to when or if this outbreak will be able to be contained.
