The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) this week reported a measles outbreak involving school children in Gaines County, which is located southwest of Lubbock.
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In a statement yesterday, the DSHS said six cases have been reported in people whose symptoms began over the past 2 weeks. All are unvaccinated residents of Gaines County.
"Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities," the DSHS said, adding that it is working with the South Plains Public Health District and Lubbock Public Health to investigate the outbreak.
Separately, the Lynn County Healthcare System, located south of Lubbock, reported a measles case and urged parents to watch children for symptoms and to ensure that they are up to date with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination, according to a media report.
In January, health officials in the Houston area reported two measles cases, which marked the state's first since 2023.
Georgia cases involve family members of earlier patient
Elsewhere, the Georgia Department of Public Health today reported two more measles cases in unvaccinated Atlanta residents. In a statement, the group said the patients are family members of a case confirmed in January.
In a monthly measles update today, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it has received reports of 14 cases this year from five jurisdictions: Alaska, Georgia, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas. Nine of the cases were part of two outbreaks. All patients were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Six were hospitalized for isolation or treatment of complications.