Texas declares measles outbreak over
Health officials have not confirmed a new case in the affected counties in more than 42 days, passing the threshold used to declare measles outbreaks over. The last outbreak-related case in Texas was on July 1, according to state data.
Two young Texas children died of the virus earlier this year and 100 people were hospitalized throughout the outbreak. The cases were linked to outbreaks in Canada and Mexico and jumped to other states in the U.S.
The U.S. is having its worst year for measles in more than three decades, with 1,356 cases as of Aug. 5. Nationwide, childhood vaccination rates against the virus are declining as more parents claim exemptions from school requirements.
West Texas was the nation's measles epicenter for months. The virus started spreading there in close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite communities in Gaines County.
State officials say they will keep monitoring for new cases. Before the outbreak, most doctors in the state had never seen a measles case because of how uncommon it has become, said Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford.
She credited testing, vaccination, monitoring and education with helping to end the outbreak.
Measles causes a rash and respiratory symptoms that can lead to severe complications or death. It is prevented by the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which is recommended for young kids before they start school.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Texas declares measles outbreak over, health officials say
The Texas measles outbreak that sickened 762 people since late January is over, state health officials said Monday. It's been more than 42 days since the last new case was confirmed, meeting the threshold public health officials use to declare measles outbreaks over. The last person to have an outbreak-related case got a rash on July 1, according to state data. Two unvaccinated Texas children died of the virus earlier this year, and 100 people were hospitalized throughout the outbreak, which spread to 37 counties. The outbreak was linked to outbreaks in Canada and Mexico, and other U.S. states. 4 The Texas measles outbreak that sickened 762 people since late January is over, state health officials said Monday. AP The U.S. is having its worst year for measles in more than three decades, as childhood vaccination rates against the virus decline and more parents claim exemptions from school requirements. The U.S. has confirmed 1,356 cases as of Aug. 5, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The nation's third measles death was an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico who died in March. West Texas was the nation's measles epicenter for months. The virus started spreading there in close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite communities in Gaines County. Even with that outbreak over, Texas will likely see more cases as the virus spreads worldwide, officials said. 4 The U.S. has confirmed 1,356 cases as of Aug. 5, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. AP At least 19 U.S. states have had measles outbreaks this year. Across the border in Chihuahua, Mexico, an outbreak that started with a child who visited Gaines County has ballooned to 3,854 cases and 13 deaths. Another in Ontario, Canada, started in October, sickening 2,362 so far and killing one. And 1,762 have been sickened in Alberta, Canada. Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Before the outbreak, most Texas doctors had never seen a measles case because of how uncommon it has become, said Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford. 4 The U.S. is having its worst year for measles in more than three decades, as childhood vaccination rates against the virus decline AFP via Getty Images 4 Even with that outbreak over, Texas will likely see more cases as the virus spreads worldwide, officials said. AP She credited testing, vaccination, monitoring, and education with helping to end the outbreak. 'I want to highlight the tireless work of the public health professionals across the state who contributed to the containment of one of the most contagious viruses,' Shuford said in a statement. Measles causes a rash and respiratory symptoms that can lead to severe complications or death. It is prevented by the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, which is required for most young kids before they start school.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Texas declares end of measles outbreak that sickened 762, killed 2
Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Texas health officials have announced the end of a measles outbreak that sickened more than 750 people and killed two unvaccinated school-aged children in West Texas since January. The Texas Department of State Health Services announced the end of the outbreak Monday in a statement, saying it has been more than 42 days since a new case was reported in counties where there was ongoing transmission. "DSHS will continue to monitor for new cases," it said. Texas on Jan. 23 confirmed its first two cases of measles this year in Harris County, followed by two cases in Gaines County confirmed days later. The total number of people infected amid the outbreak was 762, with the vast majority being either unvaccinated against measles or having an unknown vaccination status. Only 21 of the cases had two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and only 23 had received one dose of the two-dose regime. Most of the infected were also school-aged children, with 225 under the age of 4 and 286 between the ages of 5 and 17. The first death from measles was reported in the state on Feb. 26, with the second death announced on April 6. More than half of the cases were reported in Gaines County, where state data shows that 17.62% of K-12 students were exempt from at least one vaccine, ranking it among the highest exemption rates in the state. Nearly half of all students at one school in the county had filed for conscientious exemptions, according to the state data. Under Texas law, children may be exempt from mandatory vaccines for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs. Of all those infected amid the outbreak, 99 patients were hospitalized, Texas health officials said. A measles outbreak is considered over when there have been no new cases for over 42 days, which is double the disease's maximum incubation period. Texas health officials are warning that just because this outbreak is over does not mean the threat of measles no longer persists. "Since there are ongoing outbreaks in North America and around the world, it is likely that there will be additional cases of measles this year in Texas," the state health services department said. "Healthcare providers should continue to be vigilant and test for measles if their patient has symptoms compatible with the virus." Measles is a highly infectious disease that is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person or by airborne spread. The United States declared measles eradicated in 2000 following the absence of continuous spread of the disease over a 12-month period. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 1,356 cases reported so far this year are the most since 2,126 cases were reported in the country in 1992. It is also more than the 1,273 cases confirmed in 2019. There were 285 cases reported in the United States last year. The outbreak comes as vaccination rates have been dropping across the country. The CDC states that countrywide, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2023-2024 school year. A vaccination rate of 95% and above is when health officials say most people are protected through community immunity.
UPI
2 days ago
- UPI
Texas declares end of measles outbreak that sickened 762, killed 2
A MMR vaccine information packet is seen at City of Lubbock Health Department in Lubbock, Texas, on March 1, 2025. Texas health officials on Monday declared a West Texas measles outbreak over. File Photo by Annie Rice/EPA-EFE Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Texas health officials have announced the end of a measles outbreak that sickened more than 750 people and killed two unvaccinated school-aged children in West Texas since January. The Texas Department of State Health Services announced the end of the outbreak Monday in a statement, saying it has been more than 42 days since a new case was reported in counties where there was ongoing transmission. "DSHS will continue to monitor for new cases," it said. Texas on Jan. 23 confirmed its first two cases of measles this year in Harris County, followed by two cases in Gaines County confirmed days later. The total number of people infected amid the outbreak was 762, with the vast majority being either unvaccinated against measles or having an unknown vaccination status. Only 21 of the cases had two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and only 23 had received one dose of the two-dose regime. Most of the infected were also school-aged children, with 225 under the age of 4 and 286 between the ages of 5 and 17. The first death from measles was reported in the state on Feb. 26, with the second death announced on April 6. More than half of the cases were reported in Gaines County, where state data shows that 17.62% of K-12 students were exempt from at least one vaccine, ranking it among the highest exemption rates in the state. Nearly half of all students at one school in the county had filed for conscientious exemptions, according to the state data. Under Texas law, children may be exempt from mandatory vaccines for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs. Of all those infected amid the outbreak, 99 patients were hospitalized, Texas health officials said. A measles outbreak is considered over when there have been no new cases for over 42 days, which is double the disease's maximum incubation period. Texas health officials are warning that just because this outbreak is over does not mean the threat of measles no longer persists. "Since there are ongoing outbreaks in North America and around the world, it is likely that there will be additional cases of measles this year in Texas," the state health services department said. "Healthcare providers should continue to be vigilant and test for measles if their patient has symptoms compatible with the virus." Measles is a highly infectious disease that is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person or by airborne spread. The United States declared measles eradicated in 2000 following the absence of continuous spread of the disease over a 12-month period. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 1,356 cases reported so far this year are the most since 2,126 cases were reported in the country in 1992. It is also more than the 1,273 cases confirmed in 2019. There were 285 cases reported in the United States last year. The outbreak comes as vaccination rates have been dropping across the country. The CDC states that countrywide, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2023-2024 school year. A vaccination rate of 95% and above is when health officials say most people are protected through community immunity.
