When I take my kids to the doctor’s office, I see a warning posted about the measles. They tell people with children who have certain symptoms to go outside to their car and call from there rather than risk exposing others in the waiting area. The measles is a serious problem in some areas of the country.
Texas is one of several states experiencing severe measles outbreaks. As of April 2025, over 560 confirmed cases were reported across more than 23 counties, with Gaines County at the epicenter.
Tragically, two unvaccinated children lost their lives, and more than 50 people have been hospitalized. The situation is heartbreaking, and a sobering reminder of how vulnerable our youngest citizens are—especially in child care settings.
Measles is ferociously contagious. One infected individual can cause a ripple effect of illness. The virus spreads through airborne droplets and can linger on surfaces or in the air for up to two hours, long after the infected individual is gone. Children under age five, particularly those who are too young to be fully vaccinated, are at the greatest risk of severe complications.
In environments like child care centers, where close contact, shared toys, and nap time cuddles are part of daily life, measles spreads like wildfire. In fact, a single case of measles in a Lubbock daycare facility led to seven more.
Imagine if health systems and child care networkers were connected, enabling identification of high-risk scenarios and implementation of life-saving prevention strategies before an outbreak took place. Fortunately, that future is already taking shape.
Technology as a line of defense
Child Care Pulse is a data integration platform designed to proactively prevent an outbreak instead of waiting for one to happen and then reacting. More than simply matching parents with providers to help families find care, integration with state immunization records makes it possible to identify child care programs with populations of unvaccinated children. These programs could be flagged as higher risk, providing public health officials with real-time visibility into where outbreaks are most likely to occur.
This isn’t about surveillance or punishment. It’s about protection and prevention. If physicians and public health teams had access to this kind of integrated data, they could more rapidly:
- Identify at-risk centers
- Recommend isolation protocols
- Alert parents about potentially exposed children
- Deploy targeted education efforts
Imagine how differently the Lubbock scenario might have played out if this kind of data sharing and predictive analysis had been in place. Seven cases could have been one. The second child’s death might have been avoided altogether.
More than a directory, Child Care Pulse is a life-saving tool
A platform built to help families should also help keep their children safe. By partnering with both state agencies and private providers, Child Care Pulse is a dual-purpose system that serves as both a family resource and a public health tool.
We already have the technology. What we need now is the will to connect the dots bridge the gaps between our health systems and child care systems. Doing so could save lives by replacing reactive responses with proactive action and support.
In a world where a virus can spread through a daycare center before symptoms even show, data is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline.
A complimentary gap analysis with Resultant will show you how to fully leverage your data and technology, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop strategies that maximize efficacy, funding, and impact.
Sign up for your complimentary gap analysis today!
