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West Texas Measles Surges From Detention Facilities
27 Mar
Summary
- 147 measles cases confirmed in West Texas as of mid-March.
- Most cases linked to regional detention facilities, especially Hudspeth County.
- El Paso maintains high immunization rates despite community cases.
Health officials in West Texas have confirmed 147 measles cases this year, with the majority traced back to detention facilities as of mid-March. Hudspeth County accounts for 108 cases, all within the West Texas Detention Facility in Sierra Blanca. Though no county residents are infected, employees commuting from El Paso raise concerns.
El Paso County has recorded 23 cases, including individuals in its jail and Camp East Montana. Six community cases were identified, four involving employees from the Hudspeth facility who had visited public spaces. These employees are no longer contagious. While El Paso boasts a 98% immunization rate, concerns about rapid spread in dense environments persist. State health authorities have not officially declared an outbreak at the Hudspeth site.
