Fears of an increasing measles outbreak among children are rising in Texas, as most of the population is reportedly unvaccinated.

According to the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Rule §97.7, schools and childcare settings shall exclude unimmunized children for at least 21 days after the last date the unimmunized child was exposed to a measles case.

The South Plains Public Health District said there have been 15 confirmed measles cases in Gaines County. While a majority of the cases are of school-aged children, there are now a few adult cases. The South Plains Public Health District said all of the cases were unvaccinated.

The outbreak in Gaines County, with a population of about 22,000, has grown since two cases were reported in January. All those who contracted measles were unvaccinated, health officials said.

As another community in Texas confirms positive measles cases, here's what to know about symptoms of the highly contagious virus that impacts children.

Public health practitioners warn such outbreaks will become more common because of scores of laws around the U.S. that ultimately lower vaccine rates.

On January 30, officials reported two measles cases in unvaccinated, school-age children in Gaines County, which sits at the border of New Mexico and is around 90 miles southwest of Lubbock, Texas. Both children were hospitalized in Lubbock and had been discharged.

Texas sees first measles cases since 2023, with confirmed cases in Harris and Lubbock counties, highlighting the importance of vaccination.