The measles outbreak in western Texas has hit 481 cases as 59 newly identified infections were confirmed over the last three days, according to new data published Friday.

Summary

A measles outbreak in western Texas has reached 481 cases, with 59 new infections reported in the past three days.

Most cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. Gaines County remains the epicenter with 315 cases.

Children under 18 account for the majority of infections, and 56 patients have been hospitalized. Texas health officials warn the outbreak is not yet contained.

Nationally, the CDC has confirmed 607 cases in 21 states. Experts emphasize vaccination, citing its 97% effectiveness with two MMR doses.

  • Wren@lemmy.worldM
    18·
    18 hours ago

    When do we get to the point where anyone traveling from Texas is banned from entering other states?

    • carrion0409@lemm.ee
      12·
      18 hours ago

      I feel like texas and florida shouldve been travel restricted a long time ago tbh. I dont want the brain worms leaking out much less fucking measles.

    • wellheh@lemmy.sdf.org
      4·
      17 hours ago

      Impossible. Right to travel is part of the constitution, but I do wonder how it applies to emergency powers

  • yarr@feddit.nlEnglish
    3·
    14 hours ago

    Measles – truly a horror of the modern world. I hope and pray that one day mankind can create some kind of treatment or preventative for this deadly disease. My thoughts and prayers go to everyone in Texas.

  • GuidoSarducci@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    20 hours ago

    I feel so bad for the kids and others that are immunocompromised and can’t get the vaccine for legitimate medical reasons. FUCK the rest of them, they brought this on themselves. Tough shit, I have no sympathy left.

    • carrion0409@lemm.ee
      4·
      18 hours ago

      Thats where I’m at with all this too. I have no sympathy left for these fucking morons as they watch their lives fall apart. They knew he was gonna do all of this but still voted for him despite it. Worst part is all of this won’t be enough to get most of them to wake up. They’ll be living under and overpass after burning through their savings and retirement funds ranting about how actually immigrants, brown people, LGBTQ people, and Biden are at fault for their situation.

    • Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
      25·
      1 day ago

      Very probably. Getting the standard two-dose MMR vaccine protocol is 97% effective at providing lifelong protection. If you are vaccinated and do catch it anyways, the symptoms will likely be mild.

      No vaccine is 100% effective against measles, but two MMR shots are 97% effective. (Two shots are 88% effective against mumps, and a single shot is 97% effective against rubella.) Most people who are vaccinated will never get the measles; although a small percentage have “breakthrough” cases, the symptoms are usually mild.

    • aramis87@fedia.io
      18·
      1 day ago

      It depends on when you were vaccinated. If you were born in or before 1957, you’re presumed immune. If you were born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1967, they were using a not-quite-as-good version of the vaccine and should get a booster. If you were vaccinated between 1968 and 1989, you probably only got one shot; in 1989, they realized it should be two shots for longer, stronger immunity, and you should get a booster. If you were vaxxed in 1990 or later, you’re fine.

      People may want to consider getting a DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) booster at the same time. It doesn’t hurt to keep your tetanus resistance up to date, but whooping cough (pertussis) is also making a comeback, and that’s an absolutely miserable disease as well. [Fortunately, diphtheria remains in check, as that has a 5-10% mortality rate, compared to covid’s 1-3% mortality rate.]

      • Track_Shovel@slrpnk.netEnglish
        11·
        1 day ago

        Tetanus resistance lasts 10 years. Make sure you’re up to date, or you can die an agonizing death which they can do nothing about.

        this could be you!

    • Suite404@lemmy.world
      2·
      18 hours ago

      My doctor said don’t even bother getting tested for immunity, just go into your pharmacy and get a vaccine.

    • kofe@lemmy.worldEnglish
      21·
      1 day ago

      From the article:

      Singh said the low number of rare breakthrough cases show how effective the vaccine is, and that there are many reasons breakthrough cases might occur, including someone who has a condition that causes their immunity to wane over time