There’s been a measles outbreak in the South Plains region of Texas, with 58 confirmed cases so far.
The bulk of the cases are in Gaines County, where 45 people have been affected. Other counties like Lubbock, Lynn, Terry, and Yoakum have a few cases, but Gaines is the hardest hit.
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Now, if you’re in Harris County, where Houston is located, you’re looking at about a 350-mile drive to Gaines County. So, the outbreak is pretty far from us right now. However, because measles spreads so easily, it’s important to stay on top of vaccinations. Right now, the outbreak is mainly isolated to those areas, but health officials are watching closely for any new cases.
Texas case count by county
- Gaines: 45 cases
- Lubbock: 1 case
- Lynn: 1 case
- Terry: 9 cases
- Yoakum: 2 cases
Total: 58 cases
Age ranges of measles cases
- 0-4 years: 15 cases
- 5-17 years: 33 cases
- 18+ years: 6 cases
Pending: 4 cases
For Harris County residents, it’s not an immediate concern, but this is a good reminder to make sure your vaccinations, especially the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, are up to date. You can always check with local clinics if you need a boost!