Measles Cases In U.S. Hit Nearly 900, With More Than 600 Cases In Texas

A dangerous measles outbreak that originated in western Texas in January has now spread nationwide, with close to 900 cases reported.

As per the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are currently 884 confirmed cases of measles across the U.S., with the majority of cases coming from Texas where 646 cases have been confirmed since late January. Of these cases, 94 individuals have required hospitalization.

Measles cases have been confirmed in 29 states, with outbreaks reported in six states including Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, and Texas. Texas has witnessed a surge of 22 cases since Tuesday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Three fatalities have been reported since the outbreak began, with two of them being school-aged children in Texas who were not vaccinated. Data from the CDC reveals that 97% of cases in the U.S. are from unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.

The CDC’s website describes measles as an airborne and highly contagious rash illness. Before the measles vaccine was introduced, an estimated 48,000 people were hospitalized and 400–500 people died in the United States each year.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been criticized for spreading misleading claims about vaccinations and initially downplaying the severity of the measles spread. However, he later promoted the measles vaccine after attending the funeral of an 8-year-old Texas girl who succumbed to measles.

“The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine,” Kennedy emphasized, referring to the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

Public health officials have cautioned that the number of cases is likely to increase further due to the highly contagious nature of the disease.

“Additional cases are expected in the outbreak area and surrounding communities,” stated the Texas Department of State Health Services in its latest update.