Texas, New Mexico measles outbreaks: 99 cases to date

In a follow-up on the measles outbreaks in West Texas (the South Plains region) and bordering Lea County, New Mexico, it is reported that a total of 99 cases have been reported in the area as of February 21.

West Texas

Since late January, 90 measles cases have been identified in the South Plains region of Texas- Gaines County (57), Terry County (20), Dawson County (6), Yoakum County (4) and one each in Ector, Lubbock and Lynn counties.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports sixteen of the patients have been hospitalized. Five of the cases are vaccinated. The rest are unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown.

The vast majority of the cases are reported in children ages 17 and younger (77).

2017 podcast interview with Dr. Peter Hotez on measles and the vaccination situation in Texas

Lea County, New Mexico

New Mexico state health officials declared a measles outbreak in Lea County, which is located in the southeast corner of New Mexico and is near Gaines County, Texas on February 14.

As of February 20, officials report nine cases, four in children ages 5-17 and five cases in adults.

In the beginning of February, New Mexico Department of Health warned southeast New Mexico at risk for measles exposure after the first cases in neighboring Gaines County were confirmed, highlighting the importance of making sure you and your children are up-to-date on the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.

Elsewhere in the US

Measles cases have also been reported in Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New York City and Rhode Island.

In 2024, a total of 285 measles cases were reported by 33 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

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