The number of measles cases associated with an outbreak in western Texas has grown to 259, with 36 cases reported in the last three days, according to the new data published on Friday.
Almost all cases are in non -vaccinated individuals or in individuals whose vaccination status is unknown. There have been two cases in people vaccinated with two doses, according to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Innovative infections, when a vaccinated person is infected, are rare, since the measles vaccine provides protection of up to 97% after 2 doses.
At least 34 people have been hospitalized so far.
In the Texas outbreak, children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17 constitute most cases, with 115, followed by children of 4 years and less that include 86 cases, according to the data.
DSHS said in his update that he expects more cases to be confirmed in the area and in the surrounding communities.
So far, it has been reported that two probable measles deaths in the United States are a confirmed death associated with measles, while the other has been definitely linked to measles virus, but the cause of death officially remains under investigation.
The signals indicate the way to measles tests in the parking lot of the Seminole hospital district in front of the Wigwam stadium, on February 27, 2025 in Seminole, Texas.
Jan Sonnenmair/Getty images, file
The first informed death was a child not vaccinated in school age in Texas, according to the DSHS. The child did not have any known underlying conditionAccording to the department.
Texas’s death was the first measles death recorded in the United States in a decade, according to data from disease control and prevention centers.
Last week another probable death of measles was recorded after a non -vaccinated resident of New Mexico tested positive for the virus.
Gaines County is the epicenter of the Texas outbreak, with 174 confirmed cases among residents, according to the DSHS. State health data show that the number of vaccine exemptions in Gaines County has grown dramatically in recent years.
In 2013, approximately 7.5% of the Kindergarten in the county had parents or guardians who requested an exemption for at least one vaccine. Ten years later, that number increased to more than 17.5%, one of the highest throughout Texas, according to State health data.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed 301 cases in at least 14 states so far this year, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont and Washington, according to New Data published on Friday.
There are more cases so far this year than the totality of last year, which saw 285 cases throughout the country, according to CDC data.
Most of the cases confirmed nationwide are found in people who are not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Of these cases, 3% are among those who received only one dose of the MMR inoculation (measles, paper and rubella) and 2% are among those who received the two required doses, according to the CDC.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known by humans. Only an infected patient can extend measles to Nine out of 10 susceptible nearby contactsAccording to the centers for disease control and prevention.
Health officials have urged anyone who is not vaccinated to receive the MMR vaccine.
CDC currently recommended That people receive two doses of vaccine, the first at the ages of 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years. A dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective, says CDC. Most vaccinated adults do not need reinforcement.
Measles was declared eliminated from the USA. In 2000 due to the highly effective vaccination program, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, CDC data shows that vaccination rates have been lagging behind in recent years.
ABC News Youri Benadjaoud contributed to this report.
