Masters outbreak in Texas hits 481 cases, with 59 new infections being confirmed in the last 3 days

The measles outbreak in West Texas has reached 481 cases. According to new data published on Friday, 59 newly identified infections have been confirmed in the last three days.

Almost all cases are in non -vaccinated persons or in people whose vaccination status is unknown according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Three of the cases are among the people who were vaccinated with a dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccinations and seven cases with two cans.

At least 56 measles patients have so far been hospitalized, said the DSHS.

In most cases, children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17 make 157 cases followed by children from 4 years of age, followed by children from 4 years of age.

Gaines County, which borders in New Mexico, remains the epicenter of the outbreak. So far, 315 cases have been confirmed, as DSHS data show.

“We continue to see an increase, and so it certainly tells us that we are not yet in a place where the outbreak is included,” said Dr. Sapna Singh, Chief Medical Officer of Children’s Pediatrics in Texas in Houston, ABC News in terms of state data.

“What it doesn’t tell us is how many not diagnosed cases we may miss,” she continued. “I suspect that there are a larger number of patients who have infections, but may not look for tests and or medical care for symptoms that may not require this.”

Singh said the small number of less frequent breakthroughs show how effective the vaccine is and that there are many reasons that could occur through the breakthrough of cases, including someone who has a disease that leads to their immunity decreases over time.

“Even in these cases, we know that these patients develop severe infections less likely, have less likely complications and are much less likely to be the spreader of the infection, and this is very important for the protection of the community and the protection of people in need of protection in the population,” she said.

It happens that the CDC has so far confirmed 607 measles cases in at least 21 states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhodes, Tenessee, Tenessee, Tenessee, Tenessee, Texas, Vermonton.

This is probably an underpayment due to delays in the states, in which cases of the Federal Health Authority are reported.

About 12% of measles patients in the USA were hospitalized according to CDC data, mainly among the 19 -minus.

Among the nationally confirmed cases of the CDC are around 97% in people who are unegas or whose vaccination status is unknown, said the agency.

In these cases, 1% are among those who have only received one dose of MMR in -depth, and 2% are among those who have received the necessary two doses.

The CDC currently recommends that people receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first between 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years. A dose is 93% effective and two doses are effective 97% against measles.

“This is an unfortunate part of the only falling vaccination rates, not only in the country, but also internationally,” said Singh. “Many of these other cases that you see in remote areas are not necessarily large outbreaks, come from international trips. … But it can certainly be seen that the number is so high.”

According to CDC data, only 285 cases were confirmed throughout 2024 last year.

Singh says that in the first three months of 2025 it is more than twice as high in the first three months that it is important to educate people about the importance of vaccination.

“Our greatest defense against infection is vaccination,” she said. “Texas children’s pediatrics, we really encourage families to speak to their pediatricians if they believe that their child needs a vaccine if they are of the opinion that they are permitted for an additional dose or are not sure whether their vaccination status status and pediatrician, their pediatrician, will be the best source for them in order to receive their answered concerns and questions.”