Measles outbreak grows larger in rural Texas, and officials expect more cases

At the least 58 recent cases of measles have been reported across northwest Texas in recent weeks, state health officials said Tuesday, in a “highly contagious” outbreak that is likely to be linked to lack of vaccination.

A bulk of those recent cases in rural northwest Texas are in Gaines County with 45 documented incidents of the disease, based on the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

Within the last three weeks, nine cases have come from Terry County, two from Yoakum County and one each from Lubbock and Lynn Counties, based on the state.

At the least 4 patients had been vaccinated, however the “rest are unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown,” the health department said.

Many of the infections are in school-age kids, and 13 have been hospitalized.

More cases are expected.

“As a consequence of the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are more likely to occur in Gaines County and the encircling communities,” based on the state health officials. “DSHS is working with South Plains Public Health District and Lubbock Public Health to analyze the outbreak.”

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate last week confirmed long-time vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to steer the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

He’s been particularly critical of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, vaccines, which he’s baselessly linked to autism.

A rep for the U.S. Health Department couldn’t be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician from Texas’ eastern neighbor of Louisiana, urged Texans to get the measles vaccine that is “been proven protected & effective since 1963.”

Cassidy’s statement on Tuesday was then predictably mocked by some online who identified that he provided a key vote in favor of Kennedy’s confirmation.