West Texas Measles Outbreak Nears 150 Cases, Raising Concerns
The measles outbreak in West Texas continues to grow, with health officials reporting 146 confirmed cases as of today. This marks an increase of 22 cases since the last update, and experts warn the actual number could be even higher due to unreported or unconfirmed cases.
Rising Case Numbers and Hospitalizations
According to the Texas Department of Health Services, 20 individuals have been hospitalized so far. The majority of infections are in children aged 5 to 17, with around 10% of cases occurring in infants under 1 year old. Since infants typically do not receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine until 12 to 15 months, they remain particularly vulnerable to severe complications.
Gaines County remains the epicenter of the outbreak, reporting 98 cases, but the virus has spread to at least eight other counties, including Terry County, which now has 21 cases. While most cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, five infected individuals had previously been vaccinated.
First Measles Death in a Decade
Earlier this week, Texas health officials confirmed the first measles-related death in the U.S. in ten years. The victim, a school-aged child from Texas, was unvaccinated and had been hospitalized in Lubbock. This tragic case has heightened concerns about the severity of the outbreak.
Potential for Further Spread
Due to measles’ extreme contagiousness, health officials anticipate further spread unless vaccination rates improve. Katherine Wells, director of Lubbock Public Health, emphasized the urgency of increasing vaccinations, stating, “We’re going to see continued increases in cases until we get more vaccinations into our community.”
Officials issued an alert earlier this week warning of possible exposure in Central and South Central Texas. A person later diagnosed with measles had visited the San Marcos and San Antonio areas, potentially exposing more individuals.
Large gatherings, such as the Houston Rodeo, are also raising alarms. Dr. Peter Hotez of Texas Children’s Hospital noted that many West Texas families attend the event, which could facilitate further transmission of the virus.
Preventive Measures in Place
Health departments across Texas are ramping up efforts to prevent further spread. In Dallas, officials are reviewing school vaccination records and sending warnings to districts with high exemption rates, urging them to take proactive measures.
“We’re trying to identify vulnerable communities and improve vaccination rates as much as possible,” said Dr. Philip Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.
Measles Cases Rising Nationwide
The outbreak in Texas is part of a larger national trend. Since the start of 2025, the CDC has reported 164 measles cases across nine states. A significant portion of these cases are linked to the Texas outbreak.
Measles, a highly infectious disease, can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and brain swelling. One in five infected individuals requires hospitalization.
Health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination, urging parents to ensure their children are immunized. With cases rising rapidly, authorities warn that more severe outcomes could follow unless vaccination efforts are intensified.
