Measles Outbreak in Texas and New Mexico Worsens Amid Low Vaccination Rates

Gaines County, Texas — A measles outbreak that started earlier this year has rapidly escalated in Texas and New Mexico, raising concerns among health officials about vaccination rates in the affected areas. As of now, at least 560 measles cases have been reported nationwide in 2023, with the outbreak in Texas primarily traced back to unvaccinated individuals.

The outbreak began in late January when local health officials detected two cases in Gaines County, a rural area in West Texas. Since then, the situation has deteriorated significantly, with over 400 cases linked to unvaccinated children and adults. Moreover, 42 individuals have been hospitalized, and one death has been reported — the first attributed to measles in the United States in a decade.

New Mexico has declared an outbreak as well, particularly in Lea County, adjacent to Gaines County. Health officials have noted that the cases in New Mexico are likely related to the situation in Texas. An unvaccinated resident from Lea County was reported to have died, although health officials have not confirmed if measles was the cause.

Most of the measles infections in both Texas and New Mexico have occurred among unvaccinated populations. In Gaines County, longstanding cultural practices, particularly within the local Mennonite community, have contributed to low vaccination rates. While there is no explicit prohibition against vaccines within this community, residents traditionally rely on home remedies and have limited interaction with the health care system.

According to reports, approximately 82 percent of kindergarten students in Gaines County received the measles-mumps-rubella (M.M.R.) vaccine last year, well below the 95 percent threshold needed for herd immunity. Gavin Smith, a local health official, stated, “The low vaccination rates are a significant contributor to the outbreak. We encourage all parents to vaccinate their children to protect the entire community.”

Texas mandates vaccinations for schoolchildren, including the M.M.R. vaccine; however, parents can seek exemptions for various reasons, including religious beliefs. Recent data shows that Gaines County has one of the highest exemption rates in Texas.

In contrast, Lea County in New Mexico shows relatively higher vaccination rates of approximately 94 percent for children and teens. However, adult vaccination rates lag behind, with only 63 percent having received at least one dose of the M.M.R. vaccine.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known. It can infect an average of 18 people in a susceptible community. Public health officials stress that high vaccination rates are vital to halting the outbreak. Each infected individual must infect fewer than one additional person for the outbreak to subside. Dr. Anna Garcia, an epidemiologist, noted, “To end this outbreak, we need at least 94 percent of the community vaccinated.”

Complications from measles can be severe and include pneumonia, brain swelling, and in rare cases, death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one or two children die for every 1,000 cases of measles. The long-term effects of infection can also impair a child’s immune response, leaving them more susceptible to future illnesses.

As vaccination campaigns face challenges, experts worry that the elimination status of measles, achieved in 2000 due to successful immunization programs, is now under threat. It is imperative that communities take the necessary measures to protect public health and prevent further spread of this dangerous virus.