The measles outbreak in western Texas continues to grow with 20 additional cases confirmed, raising the total to 279 cases, according to new state data published on Tuesday.
Almost all cases are found in non -vaccinated individuals or individuals whose vaccination status is unknown, according to the Texas State Health Services Department (DSHS). Only two cases are among totally vaccinated people. At least 36 people have been hospitalized so far, said the state.
In the outbreak of Texas, children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17 constitute most cases, at age 120, followed by children 4 years and under 88 cases, according to the DSH data.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases occur in the surrounding area and the surrounding communities,” said the DSHS in its update.
The number of measles cases in Texas is close to the confirmed number for the totality of last year, which saw 285 cases throughout the country, according to data from the centers for disease control and prevention
According to the DSHS, two probable measles deaths in the United States have been reported, the first death reported was in Texas, according to the DSHS. The child had no known underlying condition, according to the department.
A medical staff member manages a dose of the measles vaccine to a child in a health center in Lubbock, Texas, on February 27, 2025.
Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP through Getty Images, Archive
CDC data shows that death was the first death of measles in the United States registered in a decade.
