Top Line
The Texas measles outbreak had infected more than 250 people as of Friday. This is already exceeding the total number of measles cases reported in 2024, with cases of highly contagious diseases found in 15 states.
Eight people who have been ill due to the virus have been hospitalized.
Copyright 2025 Associated Press. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited
Important facts
The Texas Department of State Health Department reported that the outbreak of measles had grown to 259 cases as of Friday, with 34 patients hospitalized and one child dead from the illness.
The Texas Department of Health said the remaining 257 sick patients have not been vaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown, with only two cases in vaccinated.
There have been around 301 cases in the US so far this year, the CDC reported, surpassing the 285 measles cases recorded throughout 2024.
In New Mexico, which has the country’s second most measles cases, Lee County has 33 of the state’s 35 confirmed measles cases, with a Texas measles incident that is detected about 47 miles from Gaines County, Texas.
Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the outbreak was “not unusual” before recently realising its “severe impact.”
Get text alerts for Forbes Breaking News: You’re launching text message alerts so you always know the biggest stories that will form the headlines for the day. Text an “Alert” on (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Where is measles occurring in Texas?
Approximately 174 measles cases are in Gaines County, a rural area about an hour and a half west of Lubbock. The remaining cases are in Terry County (36), Dawson County (11), Yoakum County (11), Durham County (6), Martin County (3), Lubbock County (4), Ector County (2), and Lynn County (2). Measles cases not associated with larger outbreaks in western Texas include cases from Harris County (2), Rockwall County (1), and Travis County (1).
What age group is affecting the outbreak of measles in Texas?
Approximately 115 cases were between people ages 5-17, with 86 cases between children ages 0 to 46, and adults ages 18 and older. The ages of the 12 patients are not stated.
Is it happening in other states?
Yes, there is an outbreak in New Mexico, where 35 cases have been reported, of which 33 are in Lee County, the region on the border with Texas. Outside of Texas and New Mexico, 1-9 cases have been reported by the CDC in California, Washington Alaska, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vermont, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Kansas health officials, not marked by the CDC measles tracker, reported a case of measles in a Stevens County resident on Thursday, marking the state’s first measles incident since 2018.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Symptoms of measles include fever, rash, cough, fatigue, runny nose and red eyes. Symptoms may not appear 10-14 days after someone is exposed to the virus, and may appear 21 days after exposure.
How contagious is measles?
Measles is highly contagious and can range from 9 to 9 out of 10 people close to one. According to the CDC, people infected with measles can spread it to others four days before the rash appears. Measles can cough, sneeze, spread through infected surfaces and can remain in the air and on the surface for up to two hours after an infected person has left a certain area.
What is the isolation protocol for measles?
People infected with measles must be isolated for four days after developing the rash, and the rash date is considered to be zero days.
Is there a measles vaccine available?
Yes, according to the CDC, it is very effective and safe. The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, which have been available for over half a century, are effective at preventing measles at two standard doses, and 93% at a single dose. Vaccines are usually given to people when they are children, one dose is administered between 12 and 15 months and the other between the ages of 4 and 6. Vaccines generally provide long-term or lifelong protection. Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that if you are unsure about their vaccination status and you are unsure about the adult vaccination status, there is no problem with taking the vaccine. Adults born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1968 should consider reassessment, NPR reported, noting that early measles vaccines are not very effective.
What was RFK Jr. saying about the measles outbreak and vaccines?
After insisting that the outbreak is “not unusual,” Kennedy changed his stance, saying in a statement on March 3rd that “the outbreak of measles in Texas is a urge to take action to reaffirm our commitment to public health.” Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, said the vaccine contributes to community immunity but did not explicitly direct people to get vaccinated, saying “the vaccine decision is personal.” He also supported the use of vitamin A under the supervision of a doctor to treat people with mild, moderate and severe infections, and raised concerns among health experts who warn about the effectiveness of the vitamin. American Academy of Pediatrics President Sue Cresley told the Washington Post that he only relies on vitamin A in place of the MMR vaccine. Meanwhile, the nonprofit Children’s Health Defense, which was founded and once chaired by RFK Jr., attacked the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, citing skeptics who argued that measles was “a slight inconvenience until it was turned into a literal neurological damage nightmare through the MMR vaccine campaign.”
Important Quotes
“Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, additional cases could occur in the outbreak area and surrounding communities, according to the Texas Department of Health.”
Important background
The outbreak of measles in Texas began in late January with just two cases, making it the state’s biggest virus outbreak in 30 years. In its 2023-2024 student vaccination status report, the Texas Department of Health said 5.64% of Texas kindergarten students were not vaccinated because of measles, while 2.34% of seventh graders had not received the vaccine. According to the CDC, measles was completely eliminated in 2000. In other words, the virus has not spread across the country, and new cases only came from people who contracted measles overseas and returned to the US in 2024.
Read more
If measles cases are on the rise in the US, do adults need a vaccine booster? (NPR)
