Measles Outbreak– Feb. 14, 2025
The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. At this time, 48 cases have been identified with symptom onset within the last three weeks. Thirteen of the patients have been hospitalized. All of the cases are unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown. Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with South Plains Public Health District and Lubbock Public Health to investigate the outbreak.
| County | Cases |
|---|---|
| Gaines | 42 |
| Lynn | 1 |
| Terry | 3 |
| Yoakum | 2 |
| Total | 48 |
| 0-4 years | 5-17 years | 18+ years | Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 29 | 5 | 1 |
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.
Residents of the South Plains can go to 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:
You can find data on vaccination coverage levels in schools here:
We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays if there are new cases to report.