Texas Officials Yet to Identify Source of Measles Outbreak

The origin of the measles outbreak in Texas remains unclear, according to a leading Texas official on March 3.

Measles cases were first reported in Gaines County in January, with an additional 144 cases confirmed since then.

Many measles outbreaks are initiated by an individual who has traveled outside the country and subsequently returns with the infection.

A few cases identified in Harris County, also in January, were confirmed as travel-related. These patients did not transmit the disease, which is spread through respiratory droplets, Shuford stated.

Regarding the outbreak that began in Gaines County, “We do not know who introduced measles into the community nor from which country,” Shuford mentioned during Monday’s hearing. “We simply lack that information regarding this particular outbreak.”

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She also acknowledged, during questioning from state Rep. Mike Olcott, that proposing the source was related to travel was merely speculative.

Olcott remarked on the recent increase in illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and inquired whether Shuford would agree that an illegal immigrant could have been the source. She declined to concur.

“There have been instances where it’s not travel from our southern border, but rather from other travel that unfortunately reaches a population with low vaccination rates. That’s why I can’t assign this solely to that,” she stated. “I lack any data that would definitively say yes or no.”

Of the 84 patients whose vaccination status is known, 79 were identified as unvaccinated for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The remaining five had received at least one dose.

A school-aged child who passed away was reported to be unvaccinated, officials stated.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children receive a single dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 to 15 months of age, followed by a second dose at ages 4, 5, or 6.

Gaines County and its surrounding regions have seen a continuous decline in vaccination rates over the years.

The rate of conscientious exemptions for at least one vaccine is notably higher in specific counties like Gaines County, where the outbreak originated. In Gaines County, the exemption rate among schoolchildren is 13.6 percent, and only 82 percent of kindergartners and 90 percent of seventh graders have received the complete MMR vaccination.

Shuford mentioned that herd immunity, which ensures widespread protection within the community, is achieved at a vaccination rate of 95 percent. “We understand that when vaccine coverage falls below 95 percent, there are enough unprotected individuals together to potentially trigger or allow an outbreak,” she explained.

She attributed the decline in vaccination rates to a waning trust in vaccines.

State Rep. James B. Frank pointed out that the vaccination schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes numerous doses, significantly more than in other developed nations. He questioned whether public health officials should focus on messaging that emphasizes certain vaccines as high-benefit and low-risk, like the MMR vaccine.

Shuford acknowledged that the MMR vaccine “is among our most effective vaccines,” in contrast to others, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, which may not have comparable efficacy. “We recognize that we have not effectively communicated this in public health,” she admitted.

For individuals who are unvaccinated and have been exposed to measles, Texas officials suggest receiving a vaccine within 72 hours following exposure. Failure to do so may result in unvaccinated children being barred from school. Texas Administrative Code stipulates that a child “who has not received the necessary immunizations for personal reasons, including religious beliefs, may be excluded from school during emergencies or epidemics declared by the commissioner of the department.”

Shuford was unable to specify how many children are currently barred from attending school.