Health Officials Warn: Measles Is Spreading Fast in Unvaccinated Areas

Posted by John March 22, 2025
Health Officials Warn Measles Is Spreading Fast in Unvaccinated Areas

Measles Outbreak in Texas Spreads to Other States, With Over 350 Cases Confirmed

A measles outbreak that began in West Texas in late January has now grown to 355 confirmed cases, according to public health officials. Experts warn that the outbreak is far from over and could continue for many more months unless vaccination rates improve quickly.

Outbreak Spreading Beyond Texas

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Most of the cases—309 people across 14 counties in Texas—are linked to the original outbreak. Many of the infected are children and teenagers who were never vaccinated against measles. So far, at least 40 patients have been hospitalized.

The outbreak has now spread to:

  • New Mexico: 42 cases (including 8 children under 4 and 20 adults)
  • Oklahoma: 4 cases confirmed
  • Kansas: 10 cases in counties near Oklahoma (not officially linked yet)

Sadly, the outbreak has already claimed two lives: a 6-year-old girl in Texas and an adult in New Mexico.

Why the Outbreak Is Spreading Fast

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Health officials say that measles spreads rapidly in unvaccinated communities. Gaines County, Texas, the epicenter of the outbreak, has a vaccine exemption rate of nearly 18%, one of the highest in the state.

Public health teams have set up vaccine clinics in affected areas, but turnout has been low. Some families continue to believe false information about vaccine safety, including long-debunked claims linking vaccines to autism.

Health Officials Urge National Action

Experts say that unless efforts are made to vaccinate more people quickly, the outbreak could spread across the country. Measles is highly contagious and can travel easily with infected people.

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Ige said the speed of response is key: quickly identifying unvaccinated people, checking for exposure, and starting vaccinations right away.

Lessons From Chicago’s Past Measles Outbreak

In 2023, Chicago managed to control a measles outbreak that infected 64 people, mostly linked to a housing shelter. The city worked closely with community health workers, faith leaders, and local politicians to gain trust and boost vaccine acceptance.

Thanks to that effort, the outbreak was under control in just two months.

Measles Cases Also Tied to Travel

In addition to the outbreak-linked cases, other measles cases tied to international travel have been reported in:

Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.

The growing measles outbreak highlights the urgent need for vaccinations, especially in areas with low immunity. Without strong action, the virus will continue to spread and put vulnerable groups—especially children—at risk. Health officials urge communities to trust reliable sources, get vaccinated, and stop the spread before the situation worsens nationwide.

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