Texas’ Worst Measles Outbreak in 30 Years Spreads to New Mexico

Measles cases in Texas have nearly doubled in the past two weeks, making it the worst outbreak the state has seen in three decades. Now, cases are spreading into neighboring New Mexico.

Texas has reported 58 measles cases so far, and 13 of the patients have been hospitalized.

The epicenter is in Gaines County, Texas, a rural area in the South Plains region where nearly one in five children are unvaccinated. The county is home to a large Mennonite community, and members often apply for exemptions to school vaccine mandates for religious reasons.