Texas health officials have officially declared the end of a much-hyped measles outbreak. While the virus did infect 762 people statewide, the situation was ultimately controlled, with the last case reported on July 1. No new infections have emerged in the affected areas for over six weeks, surpassing the standard threshold to declare an outbreak contained.
Initial headlines painted a dire picture, as cases tied to measles outbreaks in Canada and Mexico began to pop up across U.S. states, including Texas. Much of the epidemic was limited to local Mennonite communities in Texas.
The reaction was swift and widespread, with public warnings, emergency measures, and a renewed push for vaccinations. Around 100 hospitalizations were recorded—but only two deaths, for a fatality rate of just 0.26 percent out of the 762 recorded infections.
Hellbound and Down 