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.

    • Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
      18·
      7 days 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.

    • Suite404@lemmy.world
      2·
      6 days 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·
      7 days 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