Alarm in Texas: 800 cases of measles and the first death since 2015!

Alarm in Texas: 800 cases of measles and the first death since 2015!

In the USA, measles cases rose sharply in 2025, with a total of 800 infections recorded, as reported by [oe24]. The state of Texas is particularly affected, where 597 cases of measles have been reported since the end of January. The outbreak is primarily concentrated in West Texas, where 85 of those affected are currently being treated in hospitals. The health authorities warn that due to the high risk of infection, further cases can be expected in the affected area and in surrounding communities.

This increase in measles cases is particularly concerning since the first death from measles was recently recorded in the United States since 2015. An unvaccinated child died during the outbreak, which occurred in rural West Texas. As a result, vaccination rates in the USA are once again coming into focus. Experts say a decline in measles vaccination coverage is a major cause of the current outbreak, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccination rate and health risks

The vaccination rate for young children in most US states is now less than 95%. This quota is crucial to maintaining adequate herd protection against measles, as the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes. In 2022, the number of measles cases in the U.S. was nearly double the total for 2023. These observations shed light on the increased health risks associated with vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.

An alarming picture emerges worldwide: According to the WHO, an estimated 10.3 million people contracted measles in 2023, with 107,500 people, mostly unvaccinated children, dying. A particularly large number of these cases occurred in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Nearly 57,000 cases of measles were recorded in Europe in the first three months of 2024, making it clear that the problem is not limited to the US.

Trends and outbreaks worldwide

The WHO also noted that global childhood vaccination coverage fell from 86% in 2019 to 83% in 2023. This development could have long-term implications for public health. The American continent was declared free of endemic measles in 2016, but this status was revoked in 2018 due to outbreaks in Brazil and Venezuela. The WHO continues to recommend an immunity rate of 95% to effectively prevent epidemics.

With the current surge in measles infections, the need to promote vaccination and counter misinformation is once again coming to the fore. Based on recent developments, Mississippi, which is known for its low vaccination rates, could be particularly affected by the dynamic changes in infection rates.

The situation requires urgent action to prevent further outbreaks and increase vaccination rates both in the United States and globally. Many experts are urging people to learn about the importance of vaccinations to protect public health.