Measles outbreak grows bigger in rural Texas, and officials expect more cases

At least 58 new cases of measles have been reported across northwest Texas in recent weeks, state health officials said Tuesday, in a "highly contagious" outbreak that might be linked to lack of vaccination.

A bulk of these new cases in rural northwest Texas are in Gaines County with 45 documented incidents of the disease, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

In the last three weeks, nine cases have come from Terry County, two from Yoakum County and one each from Lubbock and Lynn Counties, according to the state.

At least four patients had been vaccinated, but the "rest are unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown," the health department said.

Most of the infections are in school-age kids, and 13 have been hospitalized.

More cases are expected.

"Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities," according to the state health officials. "DSHS is working with South Plains Public Health District and Lubbock Public Health to investigate the outbreak."

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The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate last week confirmed long-time vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

He's been particularly critical of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, vaccines, which he's baselessly linked to autism.

A rep for the U.S. Health Department could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.

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U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician from Texas' eastern neighbor of Louisiana, urged Texans to get the measles vaccine that's "been proven safe & effective since 1963."

Cassidy's statement on Tuesday was then predictably mocked by some online who pointed out that he provided a key vote in favor of Kennedy's confirmation.