The United States grapples with a surge in measles cases, with health officials reporting significant outbreaks in both Texas and New Mexico. As of this week, the number of cases in New Mexico has doubled to 30, while Texas faces nearly 200 cases. The outbreak primarily affects counties near the Texas-New Mexico border, with Lea County in New Mexico seeing a steady rise in infections. In response, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dispatched a team to Texas to assist local health departments in managing the crisis.
Despite ongoing investigations, New Mexico health authorities have yet to establish a direct link between their cases and the Texas outbreak. However, they acknowledged on February 14 that a connection is "suspected." Meanwhile, the CDC confirmed that measles cases have also been identified in several other states, including Alaska, California, Florida, and New York. This resurgence of measles comes nearly two decades after the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S., marking a significant challenge for public health officials.
The Associated Press received detailed weekly counts from state health officials, revealing that cases in New Mexico have steadily increased from 14 on February 9 to the current total of 30. Many of these cases were only identified after individuals had already recovered from their illnesses. Consequently, health department spokespersons anticipate further increases in the number of reported cases.
The outbreak's epicenter in Texas is Gaines County, home to a "close-knit, undervaccinated" Mennonite community. This group has historically exhibited lower vaccination rates due to skepticism towards government interventions and mandates. This reluctance has contributed to the rapid spread of measles within the community. Despite the severity of the outbreak, some officials dismissed it as "not unusual," although local doctors report experiencing measles cases for the first time in their careers.
The situation has posed a significant challenge for U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously expressed doubts about the safety of childhood vaccines. The outbreak's impact is further underscored by recent tragic events. Last week saw the death of a school-age child in Texas from measles—the first such death in the nation in a decade. Additionally, New Mexico health officials confirmed on Thursday that an unvaccinated adult who died without seeking medical care had tested positive for measles.
In both Texas and New Mexico, most measles cases involve individuals under 18 years old and those who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination statuses. The Associated Press Health and Science Department, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, underscores that it remains solely responsible for all content related to this developing story.
