Overview

• Texas has confirmed 561 measles cases, including 20 new infections and the first case in Reeves County, with two unvaccinated children reported dead.
• The outbreak, the largest in Texas in 30 years, is concentrated in undervaccinated communities in West Texas, with Gaines County accounting for 364 cases.
• Health officials warn of significant underreporting, suggesting the actual number of infections may be far higher than current figures indicate.
• The outbreak has spread beyond Texas, contributing to 712 nationwide cases across 24 states, with New Mexico, Kansas, and Indiana reporting links to the Texas cases.
• Conflicting public health messaging, including disputed claims by RFK Jr. about vaccine efficacy, has complicated efforts to address vaccine hesitancy and control the outbreak.