The ongoing measles outbreak in West Texas has doubled in size to 48 cases, mostly in children and teens, making it the state's worst in nearly 30 years.
Gaines County has one of the highest rates in Texas of school-aged children who opt out of at least one required vaccine, with nearly 14% of K-12 children in the 2023-24 school year.
Texas Department of State Health Services data shows there were 49 cases of measles in Texas in 1996.
South Plains Public Health District Director Zach Holbrooks said earlier this week that some of the cases appear to be connected to private religious schools.
Health officials say that number is likely higher because it doesn't include many children who are homeschooled and whose data would not be reported.
