Measles update: State reports West Texas outbreak has seen 481 cases since January

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The state health department confirmed 59 new cases of measles since the outbreak began in late January.

Fifty-six of the patients were hospitalized.

The majority of the cases are in Gaines County where the outbreak started.

Of the 481 cases, seven are in those who received the two doses of MMR vaccine, the rest are unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown.

One child has died in connection to the Texas outbreak in February. She was unvaccinated and had no underlying conditions.

Measles complications can include pneumonia, hearing loss, meningitis, and death.

The state's updates come every Tuesday and Friday.

Public Health

How the measles outbreak is a preventable tragedy

David Martin Davies

The West Texas measles outbreak continues to spread, and more children are being diagnosed with measles. Each case represents a system failure that a safe vaccine could have prevented. Why do parents turn away from vaccination and potentially endanger their own children and the health of the wider population? Dr. Adam Ratner, author of “Booster Shots,” joins the conversation.

Listen • 49:55

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