The measles outbreak in West Texas, which has sickened over 700 people and caused the deaths of two young children since January, appears to be slowing down as the virus runs out of new people to infect.
On Tuesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported 702 total measles cases, an increase of 19 since the last update on Friday. Since the outbreak began, 91 people have been hospitalized, with about two-thirds of them children.
For the second week in a row, no new children have been hospitalized in West Texas, said Katherine Wells, public health director for Lubbock, the area hardest hit by the outbreak. “I’m hopeful that things are slowing down,” she said.
Still, doctors remain cautious. Dr. Lara Johnson, a pediatrician at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, said, “I don’t think it’s over, but I do think it’s beginning to taper a little bit now. That could change tomorrow.”
Measles spreads very easily, especially in communities with low vaccination rates. Many West Texas communities affected have low immunization, allowing the virus to spread quickly.
“Outbreaks burn themselves out,” Johnson explained. “Everyone who’s susceptible becomes not susceptible, either by getting sick or by choosing to vaccinate.”
Doctors have seen a small increase in people getting vaccinated and others staying home while contagious to help stop the spread.
While the outbreak slows in West Texas, it is growing in other states. Nationwide, there have been 987 measles cases this year, the highest since 2019. Many cases are linked to international travel or spread from the West Texas outbreak.
Neighboring states like New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma have reported dozens of cases connected to the Texas outbreak. New Mexico has 57 cases, including one adult death, and Kansas has 46.
Experts believe the actual number of measles cases is likely much higher than reported.
Measles is highly contagious and can be prevented by the MMR vaccine. The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, but declining vaccination rates have allowed it to return.
The outbreak has highlighted the dangers of low vaccination rates. In Gaines County, Texas-the outbreak’s center-about 18% of school-age children are exempt from vaccines, far below the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks.
Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that spreads across the body. People are contagious from about four days before to four days after the rash appears.
Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and urge vaccination to protect individuals and communities from this serious disease.
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