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Measles is on the rise in the U.S., with confirmed cases reported in at least five states since the start of the year: Texas, New York, Alaska, Georgia, and Rhode Island. The majority of those affected have not been vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In West Texas, the outbreak has grown to at least 24 cases, according to a Tuesday update from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Nine of the patients were hospitalized. All confirmed cases in Gaines County involve unvaccinated residents. The county, which borders New Mexico, has seen a surge in cases, with nine hospitalizations.
Among those infected, two are adults aged 18 and older, while the rest are children and teenagers. In the neighboring Lea County, New Mexico, residents were alerted about potential exposure after an unvaccinated teenager contracted measles, possibly exposing others in an emergency room and a school gymnasium in Lovington.
The New Mexico Department of Health reported that the teen had no travel history or known exposure to any outbreaks in Texas.
What’s the situation in Israel?
In Israel, measles outbreaks are not uncommon due to a significant portion of the population remaining unvaccinated. Professor Michal Paul, head of the Infectious Diseases Institute at Rambam Medical Center, notes that many cases originate abroad, leading to local transmission. "In adults or immunocompromised individuals, infection may occur despite vaccination, but typically the illness is milder and doesn’t require hospitalization," she explains.
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection caused by a paramyxovirus. It spreads through airborne droplets and can survive in the environment for up to two hours. "Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, with about 90% of unvaccinated individuals who come into contact with an infected person likely to contract the virus," warns Professor Paul.
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Symptoms include high fever, a reddish rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and spots inside the mouth. Measles can lead to severe complications, such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and long-term immune system damage. The most effective way to prevent measles is through the MMR vaccine, given in two doses during childhood—at age 1 and again at 4-6 years old. There is no specific treatment for the virus; care is mostly supportive, including hydration, rest, and fever reduction.
Before the vaccine was developed in 1963, millions contracted measles each year. Today, outbreaks are primarily due to declining vaccination rates. "Measles is a preventable disease, and it highlights the importance of vaccination in protecting public health," Professor Paul adds.
According to the CDC, up to 9 in 10 unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus will become infected.
Vaccination efforts and the rise of exemptions
In response to the current outbreak, local health officials in Gaines County set up a drive-thru vaccination clinic last week and are offering medical screenings to residents. Meanwhile, the New Mexico Department of Health has announced the opening of walk-in vaccination clinics starting next week in Hobbs. Last year, the U.S. saw a surge in measles cases, including an outbreak in Chicago that infected over 60 people.
Professor Mical PaulPhoto: Rambam Medical CenterIn Texas, state law allows children to opt out of school vaccinations for personal or religious reasons. The percentage of children with vaccine exemptions has increased over the past decade, from 0.76% in 2014 to 2.32% last year, according to the Texas Department of Health Services.
Vaccination rates in the U.S. are declining. About 93% of kindergarten students received routine childhood vaccinations, including the MMR vaccine, during the 2023-2022 school year, according to a November 2023 CDC report. While this is consistent with the previous year, it’s a drop from 94% in the 2021-2020 school year and 95% in 2020-2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 95% vaccination rate had remained steady for about a decade.