A significant measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has amassed nearly 100 cases, raising alarm among health officials as vaccination rates decline.

• The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) reported 90 confirmed cases, with 16 hospitalizations, primarily among children.
• Areas such as Gaines County, which has a substantial Mennonite population, have lower vaccination rates contributing to the outbreak.
• The outbreak has prompted emergency vaccination clinics as concerns grow regarding potential spread to neighboring communities.

According to The New York Times, the outbreak began in late January, quickly spreading through the South Plains region of Texas. The CDC's latest report indicates that a staggering 93 measles cases have been confirmed across the U.S., with Texas at the forefront, illustrating the rising concern amidst expanding anti-vaccine sentiment.

The majority of cases identified—approximately 77—are situated within the pediatric population under the age of 17, raising serious public health concerns. In a troubling trend, even in schools within the impacted regions, vaccination rates have plummeted, particularly in Gaines County where an alarming 17.62% of K-12 students have qualified for exemptions from vaccinations. This is reportedly the largest outbreak witnessed in Texas in over three decades, as noted by officials from Forbes.

Health experts assert that effective herd immunity typically requires at least a 95% vaccination rate among the population, whereas counties like Gaines exhibit vaccination rates as low as 80%. Dr. Amesh Adalja expressed to CBS News that this was a “completely preventable” situation, and highlighted the extreme contagion of measles which can remain airborne. Measures are being taken by the Texas Department of State Health Services, including mobile vaccination units and public educational campaigns designed to improve vaccination rates and inform the community of the ongoing health risks.

The burst of measles cases has also been fuelled by the broader anti-vaccine environment witnessed post-COVID, including the controversial appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, which has aggravated existing fears about vaccines among some populations. His appointment has prompted critics to forecast a potential rise in outbreaks across the US due to the increasing reluctance towards vaccinations.

In neighboring New Mexico, an additional nine cases have been reported in Lea County, which borders Texas, further complicating efforts to control the outbreak. Public health responses have mobilized immunization clinics to curb the spread and educate affected communities.

Symptoms of measles include high fever, rash, cough, and severe complications can arise, especially in unvaccinated individuals. It is vital for community members to ensure they are vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them, particularly vulnerable groups like infants.

For further coverage on the impact and spread of the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, refer to reports by CBS News and Newsweek.