Vaccine choice = more measles infection

Texas is moving to allow for more freedom of choice with respect to receipt of vaccines. The Economist reports:

Texas legislators meeting in Austin, the state capital, are debating new laws to relax vaccine rules, urged on by Texans for Vaccine Choice (TFVC). On February 18th activists in “Come and Make Me” shirts took to the Capitol to lobby and celebrate. 

This follows a general trend of rebellion against vaccines in Texas. Between 2014-2023, the rate of children without the recommended vaccinations has increased from 7% to 18%. The results has been very predictable:

In the oil towns of west Texas a measles outbreak is spreading. At least 58 people have been infected and 13 are in hospital, the biggest surge in Texas in 30 years. Health officials reckon hundreds more cases have yet to be detected. 

How many people are infected now? It’s hard to tell as the CDC website on this measles outbreak has not been updated for 2 weeks.