U.S. measles cases at highest in 33 years, CDC says. Here’s how many are in Texas
Nearly 1,300 measles cases have been confirmed in the U.S. this year, the most in three decades and since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.
As of July 8, there have been 1,288 confirmed cases of measles across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 30 states, including Texas, have reported cases.
Of the nationwide case count, 162 of those people have been hospitalized. There have been two fatalities in Texas and one in New Mexico, per the CDC.
In Texas, as of July 8 (the latest data available), there have been 753 confirmed cases of measles since late January, according to the state’s Health and Human Services Department.
The state’s measles outbreak began earlier this year in West Texas, primarily in regions around the South Plains and Texas Panhandle. Cases slowly spread over the next few months across the state, including in North Texas and Tarrant County.
Here’s a look at how many measles cases the U.S. and Texas has had over the years.
Most U.S. cases in three decades
In 1978, the CDC set a goal to eliminate measles in the U.S. by 1982.
While it didn’t accomplish that goal, measles cases did reduce over much of the 1980s before an outbreak among vaccinated school-aged children in 1989. There were nearly 18,000 measles cases that year, spurring several medical groups to recommend a second dose of the MMR vaccine for all children.
The CDC said the recommendation helped curb measles cases, with 1992 being the last big year with around 2,100 cases. In 2000, the CDC declared that measles had been eliminated.
Despite the declaration, measles cases popped up sparingly in the country over the 2000s with 2008’s 140 cases the highest for the decade, according to CDC data. The U.S. saw an uptick in cases in the 2010s, from dozens to hundreds, culminating in 1,274 cases in 2019.
The 2019 number was previously the highest since 1992, until this year.
Texas has the highest concentration of measles cases
Of the 1,288 measles cases nationwide, a majority of them come from Texas.
The Lone Star state’s 753 confirmed cases are the most among the other 30-plus states with cases, according to CDC data. New Mexico’s 95 cases are the second-highest in the nation, followed by Kansas’ 87 cases.
While Texas has the top number, confirmed cases have slowed over the past couple months after peaking in the spring.
A majority of the people who contracted measles were unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown, according to the state’s health agency. Of the 753 statewide cases, 710 were unvaccinated/unknown, 22 had one vaccination dose and 21 had two doses.
While a majority of the measles cases were around West Texas, the disease did make its way to the Metroplex. The following case numbers are current as of July 8:
- Collin County- 3
- Dallas County- 1
- Denton County- 2
- Rockwall County- 1
- Shackelford County- 1
- Tarrant County- 4
Tips on measles vaccination
The CDC recommends the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which after two doses is 97% effective against measles.
If you are unsure about your immunization history, Texas offers records by request.
You can fill out the form at this link from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services’ website to request your vaccination records from the state, and then email the form to ImmTrac2@dshs.texas.gov, or mail the form to this address: Immunizations Section, Department of State Health Services, Immunization Branch (MC 1946), P.O. Box 149347, Austin TX 78714. You can also call DSHS at 800-252-9152.
