Texas Measles Outbreak Sparks National Concern

A major measles outbreak in Texas has reached 683 cases, resulting in 89 hospitalizations and the deaths of two unvaccinated children who had no underlying health conditions. Nearly two-thirds of the Texas cases involve children and teens, with over 95% unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status. The outbreak began in Gaines County and has contributed to 67 cases in New Mexico and 16 in Oklahoma, raising the regional total to at least 765. Nationally, as of May 1, the CDC reported 935 confirmed measles cases across 30 jurisdictions and 12 outbreaks so far this year. Health officials warn that low vaccination rates threaten the United States' measles elimination status and stress the importance of the MMR vaccine. Most new Texas cases trace back to the original outbreak, while some unrelated cases are linked to international travel.