Texas Measles Outbreak Surpasses 500 Cases, Three Dead \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Texas has reported over 500 measles cases amid a growing national outbreak that has already claimed three lives. Health officials say the virus is spreading rapidly in undervaccinated communities, with genetic links to cases in multiple states. Experts warn low vaccination rates may prolong the epidemic.
Quick Looks:
- Texas leads the nation with 505 confirmed measles cases.
- Three deaths now linked to the outbreak, including two children in Texas.
- Outbreak traced to undervaccinated Mennonite community in Gaines County.
- Cases spreading to New Mexico, Kansas, Ohio, and Oklahoma.
- WHO links outbreak in Mexico to Texas cluster.
- CDC reports over 600 U.S. measles cases so far in 2025.
- Symptoms include fever, cough, rash, and risk of serious complications.
- MMR vaccine remains best protection; CDC offers revaccination guidance.
Deep Look
Texas Measles Outbreak Passes 500 Cases as U.S. Sees Alarming National Spread
The United States is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in years, with Texas surpassing 500 confirmed cases on Tuesday — a grim milestone reached just days after the third measles-related death in the country was reported. The outbreak has alarmed public health officials who warn that the highly contagious virus is spreading rapidly through undervaccinated communities and could persist for months.
According to state health officials, Texas now accounts for 505 measles cases across 21 counties, with the epicenter concentrated in rural West Texas. A significant 65% of the cases — totaling 328 — are in Gaines County, where a close-knit Mennonite community has become the focal point due to low vaccination rates. The county has a population of just under 23,000, meaning more than 1% of residents are infected.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the community Sunday following the second death of a young child from the area. The child, 8 years old and unvaccinated, died from what doctors described as “measles pulmonary failure.” Another child, aged 6, died earlier in February. Both were previously healthy.
A third death was reported in New Mexico on March 6 — an unvaccinated adult. That state now has 56 confirmed cases, with most concentrated in Lea County. New cases have recently emerged in Eddy and Chaves counties. Genetic testing links New Mexico’s outbreak directly to the one in Texas, confirming the regional spread of the virus.
Multi-State Outbreak Confirmed
Kansas health authorities have reported 24 cases across six counties in the southwest, including Kiowa and Stevens, which each have six cases. Officials believe the state’s first case, identified in March in Stevens County, is genetically tied to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks.
In Oklahoma, the total number of measles cases stands at eight confirmed and two probable, according to state health officials. Measles exposures have been confirmed in Tulsa and Rogers counties, though the state has not released the exact locations of cases.
Ohio added a new case in Allen County, while earlier cases were reported in Ashtabula County and among international visitors in Knox County. In total, Ohio has reported at least 14 cases, though some have not been added to official counts because the individuals were not residents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a measles outbreak as three or more connected cases. As of Friday, the CDC has documented six active outbreaks and a total of 607 cases in 2025 — already more than double the number seen throughout all of 2024.
Cases have now been confirmed in more than 20 states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.
Why Vaccination Rates Matter
Health experts attribute the explosion in cases to a decline in childhood vaccination rates, which have dropped nationally since the COVID-19 pandemic. Measles is preventable with the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella), yet increasing numbers of parents are opting out, citing religious or personal belief exemptions.
To effectively prevent outbreaks, at least 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated to maintain “herd immunity.” In communities where vaccination rates fall below this threshold, the virus can spread rapidly.
Dr. Scott Weaver of the Global Virus Network advises individuals in outbreak zones — particularly those immunocompromised or with unvaccinated family members — to consult their doctors about the possibility of receiving an MMR booster.
The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine: one between 12–15 months and another between 4–6 years old. Adults with evidence of prior immunity typically do not require revaccination, though a simple lab test called an MMR titer can assess antibody levels. The CDC also recommends revaccination for people who received an ineffective “killed virus” vaccine before 1968.
Symptoms and Risks of Measles
Measles starts with respiratory symptoms including high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash typically appears three to five days later, beginning on the face and spreading downward. During this time, fevers can spike above 104°F.
While most children recover, measles can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), blindness, and death — particularly in young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
There is no specific treatment for measles. Care focuses on relieving symptoms, preventing complications, and supporting recovery. Health officials emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective protection against infection and community spread.
A National Challenge
The World Health Organization has linked a rise in measles cases in Mexico to the Texas outbreak, illustrating the virus’s reach beyond U.S. borders. Officials fear a resurgence similar to 2019, when the U.S. nearly lost its measles elimination status after 1,274 reported cases.
With continued spread across state lines and new cases emerging daily, public health experts say containing the outbreak will require community-wide cooperation, improved access to vaccines, and consistent public messaging to combat vaccine hesitancy.
Texas Measles Outbreak Surpasses
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