The number of measles infections in Texas and New Mexico in the United States has climbed to 370, reflecting a rise of 19 cases over the past four days.
This increase comes as the United States faces one of its most significant measles outbreaks in the last decade.
Gaines County, Texas, remains at the heart of the outbreak, which began in late January.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that cases there have surged from 211 to 226. Meanwhile, the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that the combined total from both states has now exceeded last year’s national count of 285 infections.
New Mexico recorded one new case since March 21, bringing its total to 43, while Texas reported 18 additional infections, raising the state’s tally to 327.
Most of New Mexico’s cases have been concentrated in Lea County, which borders Texas’ Gaines County.
The vast majority of those infected in Texas—325 out of 327, were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination statuses, an increase from the previous count of 307.
In New Mexico, 31 of the 43 infected individuals had not been vaccinated.
“It’s going to take time to control this outbreak, unfortunately, because there are still people who are resistant to receiving a vaccine,” said Dr. Tammy Camp, a pediatrician in Texas.
Despite the surge, the CDC reassured in a March 7 health advisory that the risk of widespread measles transmission in the U.S. remains low.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Diego Hijano of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital supports this view, citing high vaccination rates in many areas.
In February, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long raised concerns about vaccine safety, acknowledged the severity of the outbreak in Texas.
He stated that the government is actively providing resources, including vaccines, to combat the spread of the disease.
