'Can someone please explain this to me?! I just want to understand…' say baffled docs

A significant measles outbreak has emerged in Texas and New Mexico, with nearly 100 reported cases—the largest in decades for the region. The outbreak began in Gaines County, Texas, primarily affecting an under-vaccinated Mennonite community.

"The measles should not be a thing—not in 2025, and not in a developed country such as the USA," says Janelle de Jesus, MD (pagingdrdj).

As of now, Texas has confirmed 90 cases, while New Mexico reports nine cases near the Texas border. Most infections involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. ^[]

Dr. Adam Ratner, director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at NYU, highlights the high transmissibility of measles, noting that in a room of ten unvaccinated people exposed to the virus, nine are likely to become infected.^[]

Anti-vaccine movement

The anti-vaccine movement significantly contributes to such outbreaks. In 2019, vaccine hesitancy led to emergency-level measles outbreaks in the United States and other countries.^[]

"Can someone please explain this to me?! I just want to understand… Why refuse a life-saving vaccine for your child, yet rush to the hospital when they’re critically ill with a preventable disease? I’m genuinely trying to make sense of this," wrote Ebone Bady, M.D. using handle hookedon_dr.b.

Misinformation and unfounded claims about vaccine safety have eroded public trust, leading to decreased immunization rates and increased vulnerability to outbreaks.^[]