As of March 25, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed 327 measles cases across the South Plains, with 40 hospitalizations and one child death.
Out of those 327 cases, 325 were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccine status. Only two cases were truly vaccinated, and even those were edge cases: one was actually a vaccine reaction (not measles), and the others had gotten their shots after they’d already been exposed.
DSHS reminded the public that measles is highly contagious, spreading through the air and lingering for hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms start with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by the telltale rash. Complications can include pneumonia, brain swelling, and death—especially in unvaccinated children.
Health officials stressed the MMR vaccine as the best defense, noting it takes about 14 days after vaccination for the body to build immunity. Two doses are required for full protection.
Three hundred and twenty-seven cases, one dead child, dozens hospitalized—and all because people decided to gamble on “natural immunity.” Spoiler alert: measles is winning.
