Texas Sees 90 Measles Cases in Recent Outbreak

Texas is grappling with a measles outbreak that has sickened at least 90 people in recent weeks alarming health officials. Among the cases five individuals were fully vaccinated shattering myths about immunity. The surge hits as vaccination rates waver in some communities fueling fears of wider spread. Authorities urge action to curb this preventable disease’s return.

Measles once nearly eradicated in the U.S. has roared back due to vaccine hesitancy in pockets of the state. The 90 confirmed cases span multiple counties with schools and daycare centers hit hardest. Health experts note the virus spreads fast in unvaccinated groups but the five vaccinated cases suggest rare breakthrough infections. Texas now scrambles to contain the outbreak before it grows.

Of the 90 patients most are unvaccinated children under 12 underscoring the risks to young lives. Symptoms like fever rash and cough have sent dozens to clinics straining local resources. Five vaccinated individuals all adults showed milder illness but their cases puzzle researchers. Officials say this highlights the need for herd immunity to protect everyone.

Public health teams trace contacts to halt transmission urging parents to check records. Vaccination clinics popped up overnight in hotspots like Austin and Houston. Yet resistance lingers as misinformation online fuels doubts about safety. Doctors counter that measles shots remain the best defense proven by decades of data.

This outbreak follows a national uptick with over 300 cases reported across the U.S. this year. Texas’s 90 add to that tally raising red flags for a state with spotty immunization rates. Rural areas lag most where access to care is thin. Advocates push for outreach to ensure no child misses out on protection due to geography or mistrust.

Complications loom as measles can lead to pneumonia or brain swelling in severe cases. One Texas child is reportedly hospitalized though details are scarce. The vaccinated cases though milder stoke debate about booster shots for adults. Scientists say such breakthroughs are rare but real prompting calls for vigilance not panic.

Governor Greg Abbott has stayed mum while health officials lead the charge. Critics argue state leaders must do more to combat anti-vaccine sentiment eroding public trust. Community organizers rally to educate families stressing that collective action saves lives. Texas’s outbreak tests that resolve as numbers climb.

Looking ahead experts warn measles could regain a foothold without swift intervention. The state’s diverse population and mobile workforce complicate containment efforts. For now health workers battle fatigue and skepticism to protect the vulnerable. This crisis lays bare the stakes of keeping an old foe at bay in modern times.