Measles Outbreak – 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.

• 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.

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.

To get vaccinated, people can go to their health care provider or a pharmacy. Vaccines are also available through the Texas Vaccines for Children and Adult Safety Net Providers. Use the maps located on the measles outbreak page to locate a TVFC or ASN provider. Pharmacies can vaccinate people 14 and older without a prescription. Children under 14 need a prescription to get the MMR vaccine at a pharmacy.

Additional information for the public and health care providers is available at the links below:

DSHS News Release – Jan. 30 Announcing Cases in Gaines County

DSHS News Release – Feb. 25 Outbreak Update

DSHS News Release – Announcing First Fatality in Outbreak

DSHS Health Alert – Feb. 5 Gaines County Outbreak

DSHS Health Alert – Feb. 24 Measles Exposures in South & Central Texas

These cases are all associated with international travel to a country where measles regularly spreads.

You can find data on vaccination coverage levels in schools here:

School Coverage

Conscientious Exemptions