DALLAS, Texas– Health officials in a West Texas county have confirmed 15 cases of measles, primarily affecting school-aged children.
The outbreak has raised concerns due to the county’s high vaccine exemption rate, which is among the highest in the state.
Health authorities are investigating potential connections between the outbreak and private religious schools in the region.
The South Plains Public Health District has indicated that the investigation is ongoing.
The initial cases were reported in late January, when two children from the county sought medical attention in Lubbock.
In response, local health authorities have set up a drive-through vaccination clinic and are offering screening services to residents to help curb the spread of the virus.
Texas law permits exemptions from school vaccination requirements for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs.
Over the past decade, the percentage of children granted vaccine exemptions in the state has increased from 0.76% in 2014 to 2.32% in 2023, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
In Gaines County, nearly 14% of children from kindergarten through 12th grade had exemptions during the 2023-24 school year—more than five times the state average and above the national rate of 3.3%.
The true number of unvaccinated children may be even higher due to homeschooling families, whose vaccination status is not included in official reports.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, a two-dose series, is typically administered to children at ages 12-15 months and again between 4-6 years old.
Public schools across the U.S. require this vaccination for enrollment.
However, national vaccination rates have fallen below the 95% threshold necessary to prevent measles outbreaks, a decline attributed in part to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to local efforts, the health department has been collaborating with officials from New Mexico, as one of the early cases traveled there while still infectious.
However, the New Mexico Department of Health has reported no additional known exposures.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can remain airborne for up to two hours.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unvaccinated individuals have a 90% chance of contracting measles if exposed.
Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, the U.S. experienced between 3 and 4 million cases annually. Recent years have seen significant decreases in case numbers, with fewer than 200 cases reported each year on average.
In 2024, the U.S. saw an increase in cases, including a significant outbreak in Chicago, which affected more than 60 people. Health officials in metro Atlanta are also addressing cases that spread to unvaccinated family members.
The South Plains Public Health District continues to monitor the situation and urges residents to participate in vaccination efforts to safeguard public health.