HOUSTON — The measles outbreak in West Texas continues to spread with 10 more confirmed cases on Tuesday bringing the total to 58, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. They say it’s the largest outbreak in Texas in 30 years.
TDHS said 13 of the patients were hospitalized.
The outbreak of the highly contagious respiratory virus is mainly concentrated in a close-knit rural community in Gaines County. Most patients are members of a Mennonite community who attend small private religious schools or are homeschooled.
There are 13 additional cases in the South Plains region of Texas.
- Gaines County – 45
- Terry County – 9
- Yoakum – 2
- Lubbock – 1
- Lynn – 1
All but 10 of the South Plains patients are age 17 or under.
Four patients have been vaccinated with the rest either unvaccinated or their status is unknown, TDHS said.
“The real numbers are probably a lot larger,” Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, told KHOU 11 on Monday. “Some reports say there could be 200 to 300.”
Eight people in neighboring eastern New Mexico also have been diagnosed with measles. Public health officials there suspect some of the state’s cases are linked to the Texas outbreak, but haven’t confirmed it.
In January, the Houston Health Department identified two confirmed cases of measles associated with recent international travel. Both patients were unvaccinated adults who live together.
Up to 9 out of 10 susceptible people will get the virus if exposed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
RELATED: 2 measles cases linked to international travel confirmed, Houston Health Department says
Measles symptoms
Symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after infection, the CDC says.
Early symptoms
- High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes or conjunctivitis
- Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.
Measles rash
A rash typically appears three to five days after the first symptoms, according to the CDC. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
- Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
- The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
- When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.
Are measles serious?
- Children under 5 and pregnant women are at highest risk of having serious complications that lead to hospitalization.
- Most people will recover from the measles but dangerous complications can include pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling or even death.
- Measles can also lead to severe diarrhea or ear infections.
How to prevent measles
- Experts say the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing measles infection and severe cases of the disease.
- The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old. The vaccine series is required for kids before entering kindergarten in public schools nationwide.
- Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, the U.S. saw some 3 million to 4 million cases per year. Now, it’s usually fewer than 200 in a normal year.
- There is no link between the vaccine and autism, despite a now-discredited study and health disinformation.
Can you get measles if you’re vaccinated?
In communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities. This is called “herd immunity.”
But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.
Gaines County has one of the highest rates in Texas of school-aged children who opt out of at least one required vaccine, with nearly 14% of K-12 children in the 2023-24 school year. Health officials say that number is likely higher because it doesn’t include many children who are homeschooled and whose data would not be reported.