Overview

• The Texas measles outbreak has reached 259 confirmed cases across 11 counties, with neighboring New Mexico reporting 35 cases.
• Two measles-related deaths, including one in Texas and one in New Mexico, mark the first U.S. fatalities from the disease in a decade.
• Unvaccinated individuals make up the majority of cases, with vaccination rates among kindergarteners dropping to 92.7% nationwide in recent years.
• Health officials emphasize the MMR vaccine's 97% effectiveness with two doses, urging increased vaccination to curb the outbreak's spread.
• Misinformation about vaccine safety, amplified by public figures, is contributing to vaccine hesitancy and the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles.