Houston— Texas has reported 561 confirmed cases of measles as the state continues to grapple with a rapidly growing outbreak, according to the latest data released by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
In just the past five days, 20 new cases have been reported, with at least 58 patients requiring hospitalization, DSHS said on Tuesday.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, additional cases are likely to emerge both in the outbreak area and nearby communities,” the agency warned.
Nationwide, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 712 measles cases so far this year across at least 24 states. Approximately 97% of those infected were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
Texas health officials had already cautioned last month that the outbreak could persist for several months—or even throughout the year—particularly in communities with below-average immunization rates, which are seeing the most severe impact.
Experts have warned that if the situation continues to escalate, the United States risks losing its “measles elimination” status, which it achieved in 2000.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through respiratory droplets and direct contact. The virus spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, and can lead to severe complications and death.
While measles can affect people of all ages, it is most common among children. The virus typically infects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body. Common symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a widespread rash.
Anyone who is not immune—either by not being vaccinated or by not developing immunity after vaccination—is at risk of infection. Unvaccinated young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to severe complications.
Vaccination remains the most effective protection against measles. The vaccine is safe and helps the body build immunity to the virus. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, major outbreaks occurred every two to three years, leading to an estimated 2.6 million deaths annually.
Despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine, measles claimed an estimated 107,500 lives in 2023, the vast majority of them children under the age of five.
In the same year, about 83% of the world’s children received at least one dose of the measles vaccine by their first birthday, while only 74% received both recommended doses. Two doses are essential to ensure full immunity and effectively prevent future outbreaks, as the first dose does not always provide complete protection. (Source: IANS)
