Austin: The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed that measles cases in the state have risen to 728, marking an increase of six since the previous update on Tuesday.
Gaines County, identified as the outbreak’s epicenter, reported two additional cases, bringing its total to 408, according to the department’s statement.
Nationwide, measles infections have surged past 1,000 for the first time in five years. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1,046 confirmed cases across 31 jurisdictions as of May 22, with three related fatalities. The CDC noted that 96% of the infected individuals were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
However, the CDC’s figure does not yet include the most recent data from Texas.
Measles is an airborne viral disease known for its high contagion rate and potential for severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. The U.S. declared measles eradicated in 2000, but experts now caution that the nation may be on the brink of endemic transmission once again.
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“Public health officials must urgently support vaccination,” scientists have warned, pointing to the disease’s resurgence as a consequence of declining immunization coverage.
The CDC emphasizes that two doses of the measles vaccine offer approximately 97% protection against the virus.
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Texas is not the only state grappling with the outbreak. Neighboring states such as New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas have also reported rising cases. New Mexico’s health department confirmed 78 infections as of Friday, up four cases from its Tuesday update.
Health authorities continue to stress the importance of vaccination, especially amid growing public health concerns over preventable disease outbreaks.
