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Texas measles outbreak ‘on the decline’, officials say Texas measles outbreak ‘on the decline’, officials say
(32 minutes later)
Case count remains at 742 with no new cases but officials warn outbreak that has killed two children could flare againCase count remains at 742 with no new cases but officials warn outbreak that has killed two children could flare again
The measles outbreak that began sweeping across west Texas earlier this year is showing signs of slowing, according to the state’s health services department.The measles outbreak that began sweeping across west Texas earlier this year is showing signs of slowing, according to the state’s health services department.
For the first time since the outbreak was first reported in January, no new cases were added in the department’s latest update. The total case count remains at 742, a figure that has been updated biweekly by state officials.For the first time since the outbreak was first reported in January, no new cases were added in the department’s latest update. The total case count remains at 742, a figure that has been updated biweekly by state officials.
“Thankfully, this large outbreak that we’ve been tracking in west Texas does seem to be on the decline,” Dr Jennifer Shuford, commissioner of the the state health services department told the Texas Standard, though she warned that “it just takes one person to get into an under-vaccinated community to cause another outbreak”. “Thankfully, this large outbreak that we’ve been tracking in west Texas does seem to be on the decline,” Dr Jennifer Shuford, commissioner of the state health services department told the Texas Standard, though she warned that “it just takes one person to get into an under-vaccinated community to cause another outbreak”.
Measles had been declared eliminated from the US in 2000, but it has been spreading in undervaccinated communities. Measles had been declared eliminated from the US in 2000, but it has been spreading in under-vaccinated communities.
Though most of Texas’s outbreak has been concentrated in its western part, sporadic cases have appeared elsewhere in the state. Some of these cases have been linked to international travel while others remain under investigation due to unclear origins.Though most of Texas’s outbreak has been concentrated in its western part, sporadic cases have appeared elsewhere in the state. Some of these cases have been linked to international travel while others remain under investigation due to unclear origins.
The majority of cases have been reported in Gaines county, home to a Mennonite community with historically low childhood immunization rates.The majority of cases have been reported in Gaines county, home to a Mennonite community with historically low childhood immunization rates.
Two children from the affected region, both unvaccinated and with no known pre-existing conditions, have died due to the disease. The earlier of those deaths was the first in the US from measles since 2015.Two children from the affected region, both unvaccinated and with no known pre-existing conditions, have died due to the disease. The earlier of those deaths was the first in the US from measles since 2015.
According to the latest Texas state health services department figures, fewer than 10 of the confirmed cases are currently considered infectious – which is defined as individuals within four days before or after the appearance of the measles rash. Since January, 94 people have been hospitalized.According to the latest Texas state health services department figures, fewer than 10 of the confirmed cases are currently considered infectious – which is defined as individuals within four days before or after the appearance of the measles rash. Since January, 94 people have been hospitalized.
The state health agency has identified seven counties with ongoing measles transmission: Cochran, Dawson, Gaines, Lamar, Lubbock, Terry and Yoakum. The agency says it continues to work closely with local health officials to monitor and contain the spread.The state health agency has identified seven counties with ongoing measles transmission: Cochran, Dawson, Gaines, Lamar, Lubbock, Terry and Yoakum. The agency says it continues to work closely with local health officials to monitor and contain the spread.
Shuford says that the department has struggled to adequately encourage community members to get vaccinated, explaining that the state health service department is “really trying to strengthen our messaging at all times and so that we already have a relationship with different communities”. Shuford says that the department has struggled to adequately encourage community members to get vaccinated, explaining that the state health service department is “really trying to strengthen our messaging at all times and so that we already have a relationship with different communities”.
She added that “vaccines are just such an instrumental way for us to maintain a healthy society that can be productive”.She added that “vaccines are just such an instrumental way for us to maintain a healthy society that can be productive”.