Topline
A measles outbreak that exploded in West Texas at the start of the year is over, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, marking the end of the largest measles outbreak the U.S. has seen in 30 years.
The outbreak was declared over Monday morning. (Photo by Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
The department said in a statement it has been more than 42 days since a new case was reported in the impacted counties.
As of Monday, 762 cases were confirmed in the outbreak that hospitalized 99 people and resulted in the deaths of two school-aged children.
Children were most impacted by the outbreak, accounting for at least 511 cases.
Health officials considered the outbreak over following the 42-day period of no cases because the window of time is double the disease’s maximum incubation period, the longest time it can take between a person’s exposure to measles and when they get sick.
The Department of State Health Services noted the outbreak’s end “does not mean the threat of measles is over,” adding it is “likely” there will be more measles cases in Texas this year.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
