Karmactive Staff
A measles outbreak has hit Gaines County, Texas, sending children to hospitals and forcing families to miss work and school. What started with two sick children in January has now grown to 14 confirmed cases and six more likely cases as of February 8, 2025.
The disease spreads very easily through the air. If someone with measles coughs in a room, the virus can infect anyone who walks through that same space within two hours. For parents, this means a constant worry about where their children could encounter the virus.
In Gaines County, the numbers tell a concerning story. Only 46% of kindergarten students have gotten their measles shots. Doctors believe at least 95% of children need these vaccinations to prevent the disease from spreading through a community.
“We are going to see more kids infected. We will see more families taking time off from work. More kids in the hospital,” says Rekha Lakshmanan from The Immunization Partnership in Houston. “This is the tip of the iceberg.”
When measles strikes, it hits hard. The virus causes fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash of red spots. One out of every five people who get measles ends up in a hospital bed. For some children, the virus leads to dangerous lung infections or brain swelling.
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Local health workers are fighting back. They’ve opened a special clinic where families can get tested and vaccinated. They’re also reaching out to protect the most vulnerable– especially babies too young for vaccines who might have been exposed to sick children in emergency rooms.
This problem goes beyond Gaines County. Across America, more parents than ever are choosing not to vaccinate the kindergartners. Last year, over 125,000 new students started school without at least one required vaccine– the highest number ever recorded.
The outbreak has sparked heated debates in Texas about vaccine rules. About 25 bills have been filed in the Texas legislative session that could limit vaccination requirements in various ways. Meanwhile, health workers race to contain the spread while helping families understand their options.
Despite the worry about vaccines in some communities, most people still trust them. 80% of the public believes measles shots do more good than harm, according to recent surveys. But in places like Gaines County, fears and myths about vaccines have taken root, leaving communities vulnerable.
For now, doctors have a clear message: don’t wait to vaccinate. Children who haven’t had any shots should get one right away and a second dose 28 days later. Even babies as young as 6 months can get an early dose for extra protection during this outbreak.
