Since the measles outbreak started in Jan. 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had sent out three teams of people from their organization to help with stopping the spread in Gaines County. Senior officials with the CDC visited a Measles testing and vaccine clinic Tuesday to see how else they can help and evaluate the outbreak response.
The director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC, Demetre Daskalakis, emphasized the importance of coming to Gaines County in person.
“I come from a background of local public health, and I remember when people from CDC came to visit me and it wasn’t just an email that went to CDC but a face, someone who I shook hands with, someone I shared a meal with,” Daskalakis said. “What that means is that we have a different kind of connection and Gaines and Texas right now are really at the forefront of this outbreak and so it was a great opportunity to come here and do the thing that we need to do to make sure that the end goal is achieved.”
One of the things the CDC planned to do while they were in Seminole was to work on a tool kit that was targeted and tailored to what their teams had heard on the ground.
“It’s a tool kit that goes a step later in the process. So, in a situation where people may not want vaccine or decide not to access it, what’s the best way to keep people healthy in the event that they’re exposed to measles or if they have measles,” Daskalakis said.
Also, a Gaines County Judge released the following press release Tuesday regarding the CDC visit:
Gaines County extends our heartfelt gratitude to all those that have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of our community since the first measles reported on January 23, 2025. The following have been dedicated, showing compassion and unwavering support resulting in making a lasting impact on countless lives:
- Zach Holbrooks and the South Plains Public Health Department staff
- Seminole Memorial Hospital along with our local medical staff
- Lubbock Health Department
- Seminole ISD and Loop ISD Superintendents, nurses and staff
As a combined effort, the local responders provided support and shared information to assist in each entity’s role in treating the outbreak. I commend the work of Dr. Shuford, Commissioner for Texas Health & Human Services, and her team. They have been a great asset over the last four months. It has been a privilege to work alongside them as we have brainstormed on how to meet the unique needs of Gaines County. Many times, this included thinking outside of the box and they willingly strived to meet the challenge. The Center for Disease Control officials provided great assistance throughout the outbreak. We sincerely thank the federal and state agencies that work in collaboration to support and provide for the needs of our community. With a unified effort, vital resources were available to those who needed them the most. This partnership is a powerful example of government working in a great way. The care, concern and support of local, state and federal agencies has been enlightening.
As of Tuesday, 663 cases had been confirmed since the outbreak began. Gaines County accounted for 396 of those cases.
According to Daskalakis, the number of measles cases looked like they were plateauing, but he stressed how quickly things can change.
“There was Easter, there was travel, we’re still in the woods. So, I think having our wits about us and making sure that our work continues here and by ours, I mean the state and local health department supported by CDC to make sure that we can continue to control the outbreak,” Daskalakis said.
