Overview

• The measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, has grown to 14 confirmed cases and six probable cases, primarily affecting unvaccinated children.
• Vaccination rates in Gaines County are among the lowest in Texas, with nearly 1 in 5 kindergarteners exempted from the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in the 2023-24 school year.
• Health officials have linked the outbreak to private religious schools with particularly low vaccination rates and are conducting contact tracing to curb further spread.
• Measles, one of the most contagious diseases, can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in unvaccinated populations.
• Public health efforts include mobile vaccination clinics and outreach to encourage immunizations, as officials warn of more potential cases in the region.