Texas measles outbreak continues
The Texas Department of State Health Services is tracking a growing measles outbreak that continues to impact several counties across West Texas, and now, it's hitting closer to home.
The state released new data on Friday, showing that 646 measles cases have been confirmed since late January, including 22 new cases reported since Tuesday. The total in the US neared 900 on Friday.
Sixty-four people have been hospitalized over the course of the outbreak.
Health officials said fewer than 10 individuals of the total cases reported so far are currently considered actively infectious, based on the timing of their symptoms. Measles is highly contagious, with individuals able to spread the virus four days before and four days after rash onset. However, it is important to note: that West Texas has one of the highest rates of school-aged children who opt out of at least one required vaccine, with nearly 14% of K-12 children in the 2023-24 school year. Health officials said that number is likely higher because it doesn’t include many children who are homeschooled and whose data would not be reported.
Vaccination with the highly effective and safe MMR vaccine is the best protection and other treatments such as inhaled corticosteroids, antibiotics, and vitamin A supplements and cod liver oil are not effective for prevention or treatment.
What’s more, Children’s hospitals in Texas are seeing cases of Vitamin A toxicity (which is potentially fatal) due to ill advised advice from an HHS official. Vaccination is the only effective prevention.
The state released new data on Friday, showing that 646 measles cases have been confirmed since late January, including 22 new cases reported since Tuesday. The total in the US neared 900 on Friday.
Sixty-four people have been hospitalized over the course of the outbreak.
Health officials said fewer than 10 individuals of the total cases reported so far are currently considered actively infectious, based on the timing of their symptoms. Measles is highly contagious, with individuals able to spread the virus four days before and four days after rash onset. However, it is important to note: that West Texas has one of the highest rates of school-aged children who opt out of at least one required vaccine, with nearly 14% of K-12 children in the 2023-24 school year. Health officials said that number is likely higher because it doesn’t include many children who are homeschooled and whose data would not be reported.
Vaccination with the highly effective and safe MMR vaccine is the best protection and other treatments such as inhaled corticosteroids, antibiotics, and vitamin A supplements and cod liver oil are not effective for prevention or treatment.
What’s more, Children’s hospitals in Texas are seeing cases of Vitamin A toxicity (which is potentially fatal) due to ill advised advice from an HHS official. Vaccination is the only effective prevention.
