Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7520a1.htm?s_cid=OS_mm7520a1_e&ACSTrackingID=USC DC_921-DM155493&ACSTrackingLabel=Week%20in%20MMWR%3A%20Vo l.%2075%2C%20May%2028%2C%202026&deliveryName=USCDC _921-DM155493
Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized with Measles During an Outbreak — West Texas, January–March 2025
Weekly / May 28, 2026 / 75(20);252–257
Dennis Wang, MD1,2,3; Courtney C. Rogers, PhD1,4; Chelsea S. Lutz, PhD1,5; Elizabeth T. Sajewski, PhD1,6; Sadia Almas, MPH7; Nakia S. Clemmons, MPH3,8; Kimberly A. Gressick, MD1,9; Cynthia Hernandez7; Zach Holbrooks, MA10,11; Mehgan T. Kidd, MD7; Diana L. Martínez, PhD7; Kevin McClaran7; Erica Mendoza, MAS7; John S. Milton, MD7; Kelly D. Northcott7; Kelley Raines, MPH5; Saroj Rai, PhD7; Katherine Wells, DrPH12; David E. Sugerman, MD3,5; Carolyn Crisp, PhD7,13; Varun Shetty, MD7; Thomas D. Filardo, MD5; Jennifer A. Shuford, MD7 (View author affiliations)
Summary
What is known about this topic?
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious illness. In the United States, approximately 20% of unvaccinated persons with measles require hospitalization.
What is added by this report?
During the first 3 months of a large measles outbreak in the South Plains region of west Texas (January 20–March 18, 2025), 325 measles cases were reported; 60 (18.5%) patients were hospitalized. Among 54 hospitalized patients with available medical records, all were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, 91% were aged <18 years, approximately 70% had pneumonia and hypoxia, and one patient died.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Measles infection can result in serious complications, hospitalization, and death. Vaccination remains a critical tool for the prevention of measles infection and severe disease.
Abstract
Measles is a highly infectious respiratory virus with the potential to cause severe illness resulting in hospitalization or death. On January 29, 2025, the Texas Department of State Health Services Public Health Region 1 was notified by the South Plains Public Health District of a case of measles in an unvaccinated school-aged child. During January 20–March 18, 2025, a total of 325 confirmed measles cases were reported; 60 (18.5%) patients were hospitalized. Available medical records for 54 hospitalized patients were reviewed; 49 (90.7%) were aged <18 years, and 48 (88.9%) had no underlying medical conditions. All 54 were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. Hospitalized patients were admitted for a median of 2 days (range = 0–20 days) and many experienced complications, including pneumonia (39; 72.2%), dehydration (25; 46.3%), hepatitis (one; 1.9%), and febrile seizures (one; 1.9%). Thirty-eight (70.4%) hospitalized patients required supplemental oxygen, four (7.4%) were admitted to an intensive care unit, two (3.7%) required intubation and mechanical ventilation, and one (1.9%) died. Although most persons with confirmed measles were not hospitalized, approximately one in five required hospitalization, consistent with previously reported rates. Vaccination remains a critical tool for the prevention of measles infection and severe disease...
Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized with Measles During an Outbreak — West Texas, January–March 2025
Weekly / May 28, 2026 / 75(20);252–257
Dennis Wang, MD1,2,3; Courtney C. Rogers, PhD1,4; Chelsea S. Lutz, PhD1,5; Elizabeth T. Sajewski, PhD1,6; Sadia Almas, MPH7; Nakia S. Clemmons, MPH3,8; Kimberly A. Gressick, MD1,9; Cynthia Hernandez7; Zach Holbrooks, MA10,11; Mehgan T. Kidd, MD7; Diana L. Martínez, PhD7; Kevin McClaran7; Erica Mendoza, MAS7; John S. Milton, MD7; Kelly D. Northcott7; Kelley Raines, MPH5; Saroj Rai, PhD7; Katherine Wells, DrPH12; David E. Sugerman, MD3,5; Carolyn Crisp, PhD7,13; Varun Shetty, MD7; Thomas D. Filardo, MD5; Jennifer A. Shuford, MD7 (View author affiliations)
Summary
What is known about this topic?
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious illness. In the United States, approximately 20% of unvaccinated persons with measles require hospitalization.
What is added by this report?
During the first 3 months of a large measles outbreak in the South Plains region of west Texas (January 20–March 18, 2025), 325 measles cases were reported; 60 (18.5%) patients were hospitalized. Among 54 hospitalized patients with available medical records, all were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, 91% were aged <18 years, approximately 70% had pneumonia and hypoxia, and one patient died.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Measles infection can result in serious complications, hospitalization, and death. Vaccination remains a critical tool for the prevention of measles infection and severe disease.
Abstract
Measles is a highly infectious respiratory virus with the potential to cause severe illness resulting in hospitalization or death. On January 29, 2025, the Texas Department of State Health Services Public Health Region 1 was notified by the South Plains Public Health District of a case of measles in an unvaccinated school-aged child. During January 20–March 18, 2025, a total of 325 confirmed measles cases were reported; 60 (18.5%) patients were hospitalized. Available medical records for 54 hospitalized patients were reviewed; 49 (90.7%) were aged <18 years, and 48 (88.9%) had no underlying medical conditions. All 54 were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. Hospitalized patients were admitted for a median of 2 days (range = 0–20 days) and many experienced complications, including pneumonia (39; 72.2%), dehydration (25; 46.3%), hepatitis (one; 1.9%), and febrile seizures (one; 1.9%). Thirty-eight (70.4%) hospitalized patients required supplemental oxygen, four (7.4%) were admitted to an intensive care unit, two (3.7%) required intubation and mechanical ventilation, and one (1.9%) died. Although most persons with confirmed measles were not hospitalized, approximately one in five required hospitalization, consistent with previously reported rates. Vaccination remains a critical tool for the prevention of measles infection and severe disease...