SAN MARCOS, Texas — More people in West Texas are contracting measles.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported Friday that the measles outbreak in West Texas has grown to 198 confirmed cases, with 23 patients hospitalized and one unvaccinated child dead.
The outbreak, centered in Gaines County, is the largest in Texas in three decades. Health officials say most cases involve children under 18, many of whom are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
To address infectious diseases, like measles, and strengthen prevention infrastructure, the Hays County Commissioners Court recently appointed a new Health Department Director.
Matthew Gonzalez, a Caldwell County native, began his role on March 1, and says he wants to focus on filling in the gaps to help people access proper health services.
Gonzalez said that begins with making sure they have enough staff to monitor and respond to emergencies or illnesses, like the measles or bird flu.
They also want to expand access to resources, like behavioral health services and immunizations.
Gonzalez noted that about 3% of students in Hays CISD have exemptions from immunizations, a figure that has been growing annually.
To achieve herd immunity, experts say 90-95% of the population needs to be vaccinated.
Gonzalez said they want to educate people as much as possible, to help people be comfortable with getting those shots.
“We want the parents and the community to make informed decisions,” Gonzalez said. “We have to lay out all the facts for them, but also talk to them about what misinformation or disinformation may look like, so that people can make the proper choice for their family.”
Gonzalez says they’re the last safety net for the community and want to prioritize building back the trust between the community and public health.
“People who are insured will typically seek out immunization, but it’s those individuals who don’t have insurance or the financial means that they’re more prone to skepticism or hesitancy of not getting the vaccinations, so we play a key role. Building that trust with individuals to feel safe in getting those vaccines,” Gonzalez said.
Hays County will host an MMR vaccine clinic on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Public Health Department, where people can get shots, or talk to someone about it.