Texas Measles Outbreak Reaches 327 Cases

ABC News (3/25, Kekatos) reports the West Texas measles outbreak “is continuing to grow with 18 cases confirmed over the last five days, bringing the total to 327 cases, according to new data published Tuesday.” Children and teens ages 5 to 17 make up a majority of Texas “cases at 140, followed by children ages 4 and under accounting for 105 cases, according to the data.” Nearly all the cases involve “unvaccinated individuals or in individuals whose vaccination status is unknown, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). At least 40 people have been hospitalized so far.” Reuters (3/25, Satija, Singh) adds that since Friday, “New Mexico has reported one additional case, bringing its total to 43.” The combined total “from the two states has surpassed last year’s nationwide count of 285 infections, according to” CDC data.