Texas: 2025 Measles - 683 cases, 2 deaths

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...ak-feb-25-2025

February 25, 2025


The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. At this time, 124 cases have been identified since late January. Eighteen of the patients have been hospitalized. Five of the cases are vaccinated. The rest are unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown. Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays if there are new cases to report.

Dallam	4
Dawson	7
Ector	2
Gaines	80
Lubbock	1
Lynn	1
Martin	3
Terry	21
Yoakum	5
Total	124

39	62	18	5

The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles.
People can contact their health care provider to get vaccinated or visit the South Plains Public Health District Clinic at 704 Hobbs Highway in Seminole to get vaccinated.
Additional information for the public and health care providers is available at the links below:
DSHS News Release
DSHS Health Alert – Feb. 5 Gaines County Outbreak
DSHS Health Alert – Feb. 24 Measles Exposures in South & Central Texas

[Pathfinder]

Texas announces first death in measles outbreak

News Release
February 26, 2025

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting the first death from measles in the ongoing outbreak in the South Plains and Panhandle regions. The school-aged child who was not vaccinated was hospitalized in Lubbock last week and tested positive for measles.

As of Feb. 25, 124 cases of measles have been confirmed in the outbreak since late January. Most of the cases are in children. Eighteen people have been hospitalized over the course of the outbreak.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness, which can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. During a measles outbreak, about one in five people who get sick will need hospital care and one in 20 will develop pneumonia. Rarely, measles can lead to swelling of the brain and death. It can also cause pregnancy complications, such as premature birth and babies with low birth weight.

Measles can be transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. People who are infected will begin to have symptoms within a week or two after being exposed. Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A few days later, the telltale rash breaks out as flat, red spots on the face and then spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. A person is contagious about four days before the rash appears to four days after. People who could have measles should stay home during that period.

People who think they have measles or may have been exposed to measles should isolate themselves and call their health care provider before arriving to be tested. It is important to let the provider know that the patient may have measles and to get instructions on how to come to the office for diagnosis without exposing other people to the virus.

The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella or MMR vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine prevent more than 97 percent of measles infections. A small number of vaccinated people can occasionally develop measles. In these cases, the symptoms are generally milder, and they are less likely to spread the disease to other people. DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children receive one dose of MMR at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years. Children too young to be vaccinated are more likely to have severe complications if they get infected with the measles virus. However, each MMR dose lowers the risk of infection and the severity of illness if infected.

Health care providers can find recommendations for infection control and diagnostic testing in DSHS health alerts. Providers should report any suspected cases to their local health department immediately, preferably while the patient is still with the provider.

DSHS posts additional information about the outbreak cases on the News & Alerts page on Tuesdays and Fridays.

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/texas-announces-first-death-measles-outbreak

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...ak-feb-28-2025

News Updates

February 28, 2025


The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. At this time, 146 cases have been identified since late January. Twenty of the patients have been hospitalized.
There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Dallam	4
Dawson	8
Ector	2
Gaines	98
Lubbock	2
Lynn	2
Martin	3
Terry	21
Yoakum	6
Total	146

46	70	25	5

79	62	5

• Vaccination status is classified as unknown when the case investigation is still ongoing or when the person does not know if they were ever vaccinated.
• The investigations into the cases who are currently classified as vaccinated are ongoing. A dose of MMR is given to unvaccinated people within 72 hours of their exposure to the measles to lessen the severity of the illness if they get sick from their exposure to the virus. We are looking into if any of these cases received their MMR dose after exposure.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/he...6-4bedb86a5d1a

Head of Texas DSHS confirms latest measles case number during testimony to lawmakers
DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford was questioned by the Texas House Committee on Public Health Monday morning.
Author: Britny Eubank, Adam Bennett
Published: 1:18 PM CST March 3, 2025
Updated: 1:18 PM CST March 3, 2025


AUSTIN, Texas — There are a dozen more reported measles cases in Texas as of Monday compared to Friday.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) updates its online case tracker on Tuesdays and Fridays. But we know the number is now up to 158 reported cases as of Monday, March 3, because of testimony before the Texas House Committee on Public Health on Monday morning...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...k-march-4-2025

March 4, 2025


The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. At this time, 159 cases have been identified since late January. Twenty-two of the patients have been hospitalized.
There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Dallam	4
Dawson	9
Ector	2
Gaines	107
Lubbock	3
Lynn	2
Martin	3
Terry	22
Yoakum	7
Total	159

53	74	27	5

80	74	5

• Vaccination status is classified as unknown when the case investigation is still ongoing or when the person does not know if they were ever vaccinated.
• The investigations into the cases who are currently classified as vaccinated are ongoing. A dose of MMR is given to unvaccinated people within 72 hours of their exposure to the measles to lessen the severity of the illness if they get sick from their exposure to the virus. We are looking into if any of these cases received their MMR dose after exposure.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...-outbreak-2025

March 7, 2025


The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. At this time, 198 cases have been identified since late January. Twenty-three of the patients have been hospitalized.
There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Dallam	5
Dawson	9
Ector	2
Gaines	137
Lubbock	3
Lynn	2
Martin	3
Terry	29
Yoakum	8
Total	198

64	89	34	11

80	113	5

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...-outbreak-2025
March 11, 2025



The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. At this time, 223 cases have been identified since late January. Twenty-nine of the patients have been hospitalized.
There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Dallam	5
Dawson	10
Ector	2
Gaines	156
Lubbock	3
Lynn	2
Martin	3
Terry	32
Yoakum	10
Total	223

76	98	38	11

80	138	5

• Vaccination status is classified as unknown when the case investigation is still ongoing or when the person does not know if they were ever vaccinated.
• The investigations into the cases who are currently classified as vaccinated are ongoing. A dose of MMR is given to unvaccinated people within 72 hours of their exposure to the measles to lessen the severity of the illness if they get sick from their exposure to the virus. We are looking into if any of these cases received their MMR dose after exposure.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...-outbreak-2025

March 14, 2025


The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. At this time, 259 cases have been identified since late January. Thirty-four of the patients have been hospitalized.
There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Cochran	6
Dallam	6
Dawson	11
Ector	2
Gaines	174
Lamar	4
Lubbock	4
Lynn	2
Martin	3
Terry	36
Yoakum	11
Total	259

86	115	46	12

Unvaccinated/Unknown	257
Vaccinated: 1 dose	0
Vaccinated: 2+ doses	2

• Note: The unvaccinated/unknown category includes people with no documented doses of measles vaccine more than 14 days before symptom onset.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.khou.com/article/news/he...4-464053c95f56

Houston Health Department: Unvaccinated infant diagnosed with measles after international travel
Houston health officials said the infant was exposed to the measles while traveling internationally.
Author: Sammy Turner
Published: 2:01 PM CDT March 16, 2025
Updated: 2:03 PM CDT March 16, 2025


HOUSTON — The Houston Health Department on Sunday confirmed that an infant in the city has been diagnosed with the measles.

HHD said the unvaccinated child was exposed to the virus during international travel. The child was hospitalized, but has since been discharged and is recovering at home...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...-outbreak-2025

March 18, 2025



The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. At this time, 279 cases have been identified since late January. Thirty-six of the patients have been hospitalized.
There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Cochran	7
Dallam	6
Dawson	11
Ector	2
Gaines	191
Lamar	5
Lubbock	5
Lynn	2
Martin	3
Terry	36
Yoakum	11
Total	279

88	120	52	19

Unvaccinated/Unknown	277
Vaccinated: 1 dose	0
Vaccinated: 2+ doses	2

• Note: The unvaccinated/unknown category includes people with no documented doses of measles vaccine more than 14 days before symptom onset.

After additional investigation into the details of individual measles cases, DSHS has determined that three cases previously classified as vaccinated were not vaccinated cases. Two of those cases got their vaccine doses one to two days before their symptoms started, after they had been exposed to the virus. It takes the body about 14 days after vaccination to develop immunity to measles, so people aren’t considered vaccinated until that 14-day period has passed.
DSHS has determined that the third case was a Lubbock County resident who had a vaccine reaction rather than a measles infection based on the results of MeVA testing, which detected the vaccine strain. This case has been removed from the case count entirely. The measles vaccine can occasionally cause a reaction with a rash and fever that mimic measles, but it is not a measles infection and cannot spread to other people.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...-outbreak-2025
News Updates

March 21, 2025


The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. At this time, 309 cases have been identified since late January. Forty of the patients have been hospitalized.
There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Cochran	7
Dallam	6
Dawson	13
Ector	2
Gaines	211
Garza	1
Hale	1
Hockley	1
Lamar	5
Lubbock	8
Lynn	2
Martin	3
Terry	37
Yoakum	12
Total	309

102	130	58	19

Unvaccinated/Unknown	307
Vaccinated: 1 dose	0
Vaccinated: 2+ doses	2

• Note: The unvaccinated/unknown category includes people with no documented doses of measles vaccine more than 14 days before symptom onset.

After additional investigation into the details of individual measles cases, DSHS has determined that three cases previously classified as vaccinated were not vaccinated cases. Two of those cases got their vaccine doses one to two days before their symptoms started, after they had been exposed to the virus. It takes the body about 14 days after vaccination to develop immunity to measles, so people aren’t considered vaccinated until that 14-day period has passed.
DSHS has determined that the third case was a Lubbock County resident who had a vaccine reaction rather than a measles infection based on the results of MeVA testing, which detected the vaccine strain. This case has been removed from the case count entirely. The measles vaccine can occasionally cause a reaction with a rash and fever that mimic measles, but it is not a measles infection and cannot spread to other people...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...-outbreak-2025

March 25, 2025



The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. At this time, 327 cases have been identified since late January. Forty of the patients have been hospitalized.
There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Cochran	7
Dallam	6
Dawson	13
Ector	2
Gaines	226
Garza	1
Hale	1
Hockley	1
Lamar	5
Lamb	1
Lubbock	10
Lynn	1
Martin	3
Terry	37
Yoakum	13
Total	327

All data is provisional and subject to change.

105	140	63	19

Unvaccinated/Unknown	325
Vaccinated: 1 dose	0
Vaccinated: 2+ doses	2

• Note: The unvaccinated/unknown category includes people with no documented doses of measles vaccine more than 14 days before symptom onset.

After additional investigation into the details of individual measles cases, DSHS has determined that three cases previously classified as vaccinated were not vaccinated cases. Two of those cases got their vaccine doses one to two days before their symptoms started, after they had been exposed to the virus. It takes the body about 14 days after vaccination to develop immunity to measles, so people aren’t considered vaccinated until that 14-day period has passed.
DSHS has determined that the third case was a Lubbock County resident who had a vaccine reaction rather than a measles infection based on the results of MeVA testing, which detected the vaccine strain. This case has been removed from the case count entirely. The measles vaccine can occasionally cause a reaction with a rash and fever that mimic measles, but it is not a measles infection and cannot spread to other people.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...-outbreak-2025

March 28, 2025

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. At this time, 400 cases have been identified since late January. Forty-one of the patients have been hospitalized.

There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.

Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...-outbreak-2025

April 1, 2025

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. At this time, 422 cases have been identified since late January. Forty-two of the patients have been hospitalized.

There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.

Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.

We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The server for the interactive dashboard is not consistently working at this time so we are providing a static version as well as a link to the interactive dashboard...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-aler...-outbreak-2025

April 4, 2025

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. At this time, 481 cases have been identified since late January. Fifty-six of the patients have been hospitalized.

There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.

Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak...