Summary
Health officials in Texas have declared the end of a measles outbreak that affected 762 people since January. More than 42 days have passed since the last reported case, and officials used this timeframe to confirm the outbreak is over. The outbreak is part of a larger increase in measles cases across the U.S. as vaccination rates decline.
Key Facts
- Texas had 762 measles cases in this outbreak, which started in January.
- Officials consider the outbreak over after 42 days with no new cases.
- Two Texas children who were not vaccinated died from measles.
- The outbreak affected 37 counties in Texas and was linked to Canada, Mexico, and other U.S. states.
- The U.S. recorded 1,356 measles cases as of August 5.
- West Texas, especially in Gaines County, was a central area for the outbreak.
- Measles is highly contagious and can be prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.
