Gaines County's notably low vaccination rates, attributed to a strong religious community's hesitancy, pose a significant risk for a potential measles outbreak. The area has experienced cases of measles, a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious health complications. Nationally, vaccination rates among kindergartners have dropped from 95% to around 92% amid increasing vaccine misinformation, which has contributed to growing vaccine exemptions. Health officials warn that these trends are likely to lead to more outbreaks in communities like Gaines County.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities.
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known. The measles virus spreads through the air and can linger in the airspace of a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left.
Vaccination coverage nationwide has slipped in recent years as vaccine misinformation and hesitancy have taken root.
Vaccine exemptions, meanwhile, have hit an all-time high. Health experts expect to see more vaccine-preventable outbreaks, like the one in Gaines.
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