In 2000, the United States declared measles eradicated, but 25 years later, Gaines County, Texas, is grappling with a measles outbreak, with 124 confirmed cases and counting. The rise of misinformation, distrust in public health, and slipping vaccination rates, exacerbated by the anti-vaccination movement and social media, has led to this preventable crisis, putting vulnerable populations at risk. Public health officials are now fighting to contain the outbreak while emphasizing the importance of empathy, trust, and policy enforcement to combat vaccine hesitancy.

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