Measles Outbreak Spreads, Raising Concerns About Unvaccinated Populations

Measles Outbreak Spreads, Raising Concerns

The measles outbreak that began in Texas has now spread to at least two other states, with a total of 355 confirmed cases as of Friday. Health officials are concerned that the outbreak is not slowing down.

"I'm worried it's getting worse," said Katherine Wells, director of public health for Lubbock, Texas.

Many people are not getting tested for measles, and efforts to increase vaccination in the affected areas have not been successful. Wells believes it could take a year to control the outbreak.

The outbreak started in West Texas in late January and has now infected 309 people in 14 Texas counties. "All of the cases in these counties are related to each other," Wells said. "We are going to see mini outbreaks" as the virus spreads unchecked.

Measles is highly contagious and seeks out anyone who is not vaccinated. Nearly all of the people who have gotten sick have been children and teenagers who were never vaccinated against the virus. At least 40 patients have been hospitalized.

Neighboring New Mexico has reported 42 cases, with 20 of those individuals being 18 or older. Oklahoma has confirmed four cases related to the outbreak. All were either unvaccinated or it was unclear if they had received the shots.

Two people, a 6-year-old girl in Texas and an adult in New Mexico, have died. The epicenter of the outbreak, Gaines County, Texas, has one of the state's highest vaccine exemption rates, at nearly 18%.

Vaccine clinics have been set up in the county, but uptake has been low. Many families remain steadfast in their belief that vaccines cause autism, despite the fact that this claim has been debunked.

Health officials are urging people to get vaccinated, especially those who are traveling. Measles can spread easily and can cause serious complications, especially in young children.

"Measles is going to find those pockets of unvaccinated individuals, and with the number of cases and ability for people to travel, there is that risk of it entering other unvaccinated pockets anywhere in the United States right now," Wells said.

The only way to stop a national outbreak is to find people who are not vaccinated and get them the shots as soon as possible. Health officials are working to identify vulnerable populations and encourage vaccination.