Measles

Measles in South Carolina’s outbreak grew to nearly a thousand cases last week. The outbreak is part of a wave of measles outbreaks across the country that began last year in Texas. There are other outbreaks now in California, Utah and North Dakota. The vast majority of cases have been among unvaccinated people. The surge in cases is pushing the U.S. dangerously close to losing its measles-free status. Why are we losing the battle against measles?

Texas health officials are monitoring a small measles cluster in the Hill Country tied to out-of-state travel. The cases follow a deadly West Texas outbreak last year and highlight ongoing concerns about vaccination rates.

As South Carolina's outbreak grows to 876 confirmed cases, vaccinations in the state surged in January. Cases have also been reported in two ICE detention facilities.

Just one year after the worst measles outbreak in the country began in West Texas, public health officials said the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status. Public health leaders from North Texas and Lubbock warn declining vaccination rates could increase risk of future measles outbreaks.

After eight months, Texas DSHS reports the west Texas measles outbreak is over.

There have been no new cases confirmed in Texas in four weeks.

The number of cases tied to the months-long measles outbreak in Texas has not increased in three weeks, and a spokesman for the Department of State Health Services said, "It appears the height of the measles outbreak is behind us."

There are no new confirmed measles cases to report in Texas this week, according to the state, but Austin's health department has detected the measles virus in wastewater.

A new county has joined the outbreak list this week. The Department of State Health Services confirmed four outbreak-linked cases in Fannin County. Fannin is next door to Lamar County, where the state confirmed five new measles cases this week.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported no new measles cases linked to the West Texas outbreak this week.