What factors are contributing to the measles outbreak in Texas?

The alarming measles outbreak in Texas has seen 58 cases in just three weeks, primarily affecting unvaccinated children and teenagers. This outbreak stems from plummeting vaccination rates, which have fallen below the herd immunity threshold since 2019. Of the 58 cases, all but four involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. Anti-vaccine activism, including misinformation spread by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has played a significant role in declining vaccination rates. Kennedy previously promoted debunked theories about the measles vaccine in Samoa. With 13 people hospitalized across the country, this preventable disease has become a serious public health concern requiring urgent attention.