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US measles total tops 600 cases, with almost 500 in Texas
Lisa Schnirring
Today at 3:45 p.m.
Measles
Childhood Vaccines Fueled by outbreaks in multiple states, including a large one centered in west Texas, the nation's measles total reached 607 cases today, with 124 new cases reported over the past week, according to an update today from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The nation is battling its worst spike in cases since 2019, fueled by outbreaks in communities where vaccine uptake is lower and by increased global spread of the virus. The CDC said 2 more jurisdictions reported cases this week, raising the total to 22—21 states and New York City. One more outbreak was reported, making six so far, and 93% of cases confirmed so far are part of outbreaks.
Of the total patients, 97% were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination statuses, and 74 (12%) have been hospitalized. The nation is on track to pass the 1,274 cases reported in 2019, a year when a surge of measles activity threatened the nation's measles elimination status, which it earned in 2000.
Texas total climbs to 481 cases
The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) today reported 59 more cases, pushing the state's total since January to 481 in 19 counties. Fourteen more people were hospitalized for their infections, bringing that total to 56.
Of the state's total, 471 patients were unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
Though most cases are reported in Gaines County on the border with New Mexico, a few linked to the outbreak have been reported in counties in central Texas, including Brown and Erath counties.
In a new development, the Harris County Public Health (HCPH), home to Houston in the southeastern part of the state, said it is investigating a confirmed measles case in a child who lives in the northwestern part of the county and has no travel history.
The HCPH said the case was confirmed by a commercial lab and awaits secondary confirmation by the TDSHS. So far, it's not clear if the case is linked to the outbreak in west Texas. The case marks Harris County's first since 2019.
Meanwhile, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDH) reported six more cases, raising the state's total to 54. The New Mexico outbreak is limited to two counties—Lea and Eddy— that border the Texas outbreak hot spot. Among the 54 patients, 48 were unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
Oklahoma, another state with cases linked to the Texas outbreak, reported no new cases today, keeping its total at 10, which includes 8 confirmed and 2 probable.
Cases rise in Tennessee
Outbreaks are occurring in other states, though it’s not clear if all are linked to the Texas event.
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) said this week that three more cases have been confirmed in middle Tennessee, bringing the state's total to four.
One of the newly confirmed cases is linked to the first Tennessee case, which was confirmed on March 21, and the exposure source is unknown. The TDH added that no other details are available about the other cases.
US measles total tops 600 cases, with almost 500 in Texas
Lisa Schnirring
Today at 3:45 p.m.
Measles
Childhood Vaccines Fueled by outbreaks in multiple states, including a large one centered in west Texas, the nation's measles total reached 607 cases today, with 124 new cases reported over the past week, according to an update today from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The nation is battling its worst spike in cases since 2019, fueled by outbreaks in communities where vaccine uptake is lower and by increased global spread of the virus. The CDC said 2 more jurisdictions reported cases this week, raising the total to 22—21 states and New York City. One more outbreak was reported, making six so far, and 93% of cases confirmed so far are part of outbreaks.
Of the total patients, 97% were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination statuses, and 74 (12%) have been hospitalized. The nation is on track to pass the 1,274 cases reported in 2019, a year when a surge of measles activity threatened the nation's measles elimination status, which it earned in 2000.
Texas total climbs to 481 cases
The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) today reported 59 more cases, pushing the state's total since January to 481 in 19 counties. Fourteen more people were hospitalized for their infections, bringing that total to 56.
Of the state's total, 471 patients were unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
Though most cases are reported in Gaines County on the border with New Mexico, a few linked to the outbreak have been reported in counties in central Texas, including Brown and Erath counties.
In a new development, the Harris County Public Health (HCPH), home to Houston in the southeastern part of the state, said it is investigating a confirmed measles case in a child who lives in the northwestern part of the county and has no travel history.
The HCPH said the case was confirmed by a commercial lab and awaits secondary confirmation by the TDSHS. So far, it's not clear if the case is linked to the outbreak in west Texas. The case marks Harris County's first since 2019.
Meanwhile, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDH) reported six more cases, raising the state's total to 54. The New Mexico outbreak is limited to two counties—Lea and Eddy— that border the Texas outbreak hot spot. Among the 54 patients, 48 were unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
Oklahoma, another state with cases linked to the Texas outbreak, reported no new cases today, keeping its total at 10, which includes 8 confirmed and 2 probable.
Cases rise in Tennessee
Outbreaks are occurring in other states, though it’s not clear if all are linked to the Texas event.
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) said this week that three more cases have been confirmed in middle Tennessee, bringing the state's total to four.
One of the newly confirmed cases is linked to the first Tennessee case, which was confirmed on March 21, and the exposure source is unknown. The TDH added that no other details are available about the other cases.