Texas Measles Outbreak Nears 100 Cases, Raising Concerns About Undetected Spread

[douglas9]

Some private schools have shut down because of a rapidly escalating measles outbreak in West Texas. Local health departments are overstretched, pausing other important work as they race to limit the spread of this highly contagious virus.

Since the outbreak emerged three weeks ago, the Texas health department has confirmed 90 cases with 16 hospitalizations, as of Feb. 21. Most of those infected are under age 18. Officials suspect that nine additional measles cases reported in New Mexico, across the border from the epicenter of the Texas outbreak in Gaines, are linked to the Texas outbreak. Ongoing investigations seek to confirm that connection.

Health officials worry they’re missing cases. Undetected infections bode poorly for communities because doctors and health officials can’t contain transmission if they can’t identify who is infected.

“This is the tip of the iceberg,” said Rekha Lakshmanan, chief strategy officer for The Immunization Partnership in Houston, a nonprofit that advocates for vaccine access. “I think this is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.”


https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/texas-measles-outbreak-escalates-undetected-cases-vaccinations/

[GreenWave]

1. And it crosses borders! Where is the outrage?

[magicarpet]

2. If you do not record it,...

..... it does not exist.

Fudge the figures to make yourself look better. The GOPee way.

[patphil]

3. People who have measles are contagious 4 days before showing symptoms.

They can infect dozens, or even hundreds of people during that time period.

[twodogsbarking]

4. Texas will learn the definition of "increasing in multiples".

[Typewitch]

5. Texas won't learn anything.

I've lived here most of my life. These are the dumbest humans on the face of the earth. Rural counties like this one with the measles have no idea how disease and vaccinations work.