Texas measles outbreak: 146 cases confirmed since late January

Measles death: Lubbock hospital gives update

A child hospitalized with measles died in Lubbock, Texas this week. Hospital officials give more information on the disease and how it can be prevented.

More cases of measles have been detected in Texas' South Plains region, according to an update from rhe Department of State Health Services on Friday.

146 cases of measles connected to that outbreak have been detected since late January. That is 22 new cases since the last update on Tuesday.

Later on Friday, officials in the city of Austin announced its first case of measles.

The case involved an invaccinated infant that contracted the virus overseas.

Gaines County, the center of the outbreak, has 98 cases.

Nearly all of the cases are among those who have not received the vaccine, or it is not known if they received the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella.

Earlier this week, a school-aged child died at a hospital in Lubbock from complications from measles.

According to the new data, no cases have been confirmed in San Marcos or San Antonio, where someone who contracted measles in Gaines County was known to have traveled on the weekend of Feb. 14-16.

The update from DSHS does not include a confirmed case of measles in Rockwall County. That person is believed to have contracted the disease overseas.

Texas measles outbreak

By the numbers:

Here are the total cases by county.

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

Here are the total cases by age.

0-4 years: 46 cases
5-17 years: 70 cases
18+: 25 cases
Unknown: 5 cases

Cases by vaccination status:

Not vaccinated: 79
Unknown status: 62
Vaccinated with at least one dose: 5

What's next:

Case numbers are updated by the Texas Department of State Health Services on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Gov. Abbott on measles outbreak

What they're saying:

"My office remains in regular communication with DSHS regarding the measles outbreak. Last week, I directed DSHS to deploy necessary resources including epidemiologists, immunization teams, and specimen collection teams to affected areas. The State Medical Operations Center is managing resource deployment and daily situation updates, and coordination calls are being held with local hospitals, health authorities, and response teams.

I also directed TDEM to be ready to support these efforts with any additional logistical and material needs that may arise.

Texas will deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safety and health needs of Texans," wrote Gov. Greg Abbott in a statement on Friday.

What is measles?

Why you should care:

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.

Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Illness onset (high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes) begins a week or two after someone is exposed. 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 with measles should stay home from work or school during that period.

Symptoms of Measles

Common symptoms for measles include:

High fever (as high as 105°F)
Cough
Runny nose
Red and watery eyes
Tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth 2-3 days after symptoms begin
Rash 3-5 days after other signs of illness. The "measles rash" typically starts at the face and then spreads down to the rest of the body.

How to prevent getting measles

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.

Some vaccinated people can occasionally develop measles; however, they generally experience milder symptoms and are less likely to spread the disease to other people.

What to do if you've been exposed to measles

SEMINOLE, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 27: Signs point the way to measles testing in the parking lot of the Seminole Hospital District across from Wigwam Stadium on February 27, 2025 in Seminole, Texas. Eighty cases of measles have been reported in Gaines county

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If you think you have measles or have been exposed to someone with measles, isolate yourself from others and call your healthcare provider before arriving to be tested so they can prepare for your arrival without exposing other people to the virus. Measles is extremely contagious and can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. Review your and your child’s vaccination history to see if you are up-to-date on your measles vaccines. Additionally, discuss with your provider your vaccination history and any questions about these vaccines.

Controlling outbreaks in group settings

People with confirmed or suspected measles should stay home from school, work, and other group settings until after the fourth day of rash onset.
During an outbreak, people without documented immunity from vaccination or previous measles infection should be isolated from anyone with measles to protect those without immunity and control the outbreak.
According to the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Rule §97.7, schools and childcare settings shall exclude unimmunized children for at least 21 days after the last date the unimmunized child was exposed to a measles case.

The Source: Information on the latest case numbers comes from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Information about the measles comes from the Centers for Disease Control.

Texas Health