Schoolchildren in Gaines County, Texas have developed measles infections, the state’s health department reports. All cases are among unvaccinated students. The first two cases were confirmed on January 30, and as of today the outbreak has grown 9 confirmed and 3 probable cases. The health department is investigating other possible infections among the contacts of those infected in order to prevent further spread of the virus. The state health department announced that more cases are likely to pop up in the area. According to the state health department, Gaines County’s vaccine exemption rate is much higher than the national average (17.6% in Gaines County vs. 3.3% countrywide). This extremely high rate is fueling the current outbreak. This is Texas’s second measles cluster of 2025. The first one occurred in Harris County, where two cases were confirmed.
Full Story: HealthDay
In Georgia, health officials confirmed two additional measles cases in Atlanta-area residents. These infected individuals are family members of the case confirmed in Georgia in January. The infected people are unvaccinated. Last year the state reported 6 measles cases. Nationally in 2024, American kindergartners had the highest vaccine exemption rate ever recorded. Declining vaccination rates have allowed measles outbreaks to occur in communities across the country.
Full Story: 11Alive
