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Texas reports lowest increase in measles cases since February outbreak
The latest case was reported in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak, which reported a total of 406 cases.
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Reuters - Sat, 17, May 2025
- 01:39 EDT
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A sign reading "measles testing" is seen as an outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, has raised concerns over its spread to other parts of the state, in Seminole, Texas, U.S., February 25, 2025. / REUTERS/Sebastian Rocandio/File Photo
The Texas health department said measles cases in the state increased by one over the last three days, the lowest addition since the outbreak began in February, taking the total to 718 as of May 16.
The latest case was reported in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak, which reported a total of 406 cases.
Also read: US health chief Kennedy defends mass firings, measles response to lawmakers
The outbreak in Texas, which led to the deaths of two unvaccinated children, is centered in a Mennonite community and has spread to neighboring states, including New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas.
New Mexico's health department reported 74 cases, an increase of three from its last update on Tuesday. Most of the state's cases were from Lea County, adjacent to Gaines County in Texas.
The number of measles cases in the U.S. exceeded 1,000 for the first time in five years, federal data released last week showed.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,024 measles cases in 31 jurisdictions, as of May 15. Of these, 96 percent of cases were in patients who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
The CDC said 14 outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases, were reported in 2025.
Scientists have warned that the U.S. is at a tipping point for the return of endemic measles, declared eradicated nationally in 2000, and said public health officials in the country should provide urgent endorsement for highly effective vaccines.
The measles vaccine is 97 percent effective after two doses, according to the CDC.
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