Measles Outbreak in Texas Grows to 321 Cases, Spreads to Two Neighboring States
Low vaccination rates and misinformation are fueling the spread of a highly contagious virus, with two deaths confirmed and public health efforts ongoing.
- The ongoing measles outbreak, originating in West Texas, has expanded to New Mexico and Oklahoma, with 321 cases confirmed as of March 18, 2025.
- Two deaths have been reported: an unvaccinated six-year-old in Texas and a suspected case involving an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
- The outbreak is linked to low vaccination rates in a Mennonite community in West Texas, where misinformation on social media has influenced vaccine hesitancy.
- Measles is highly contagious, with an R0 of 12–18, and requires a 95% vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity, which is not currently met in affected areas.
- Public health officials are conducting vaccination campaigns and addressing misinformation, but challenges persist, including mixed support from some officials like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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