25 New Cases Identified as Measles Outbreak in Texas Grows

The new cases bring the state’s total to 223.

A sign outside of Seminole Hospital District offering measles testing, in Seminole, Texas on Feb. 21, 2025. Julio Cortez/AP Photo

The Texas Department of State Health Services said on March 11 that 25 new measles cases have been identified since last week, bringing the state’s total to 223.

The majority of the cases have been children. Of the patients with known vaccination status, five have received at least one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shot, while 80 have not been vaccinated, according to the state agency.

Twenty-nine of the patients were hospitalized, and one, described as an unvaccinated child with no underlying conditions, died.

Measles is a virus that spreads through droplets discharged when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus is capable of causing infection for up to two hours.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people remain infectious for four days before a rash appears until four days after.

“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities,” the Texas health agency said in a statement. It said it’s working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak, which is believed to have started in January.

A health official said earlier this month that the origin of the outbreak has not yet been found.

Many outbreaks start when people return from visiting another country where measles is prevalent.

The CDC considers measles eliminated in the United States as of 2000.

The CDC and Texas officials are advising people to receive the MMR vaccine if they have not already done so. If they have, officials are advising some people who were exposed to get another dose.

The CDC says one dose of the vaccine is 93 percent effective against measles, and two doses are 97 percent effective.

Possible side effects include febrile seizure—convulsion caused by a fever—and headache.

In a recent alert, the CDC said health officials and doctors “should be vigilant for cases of febrile rash illness that meet the measles case definition, particularly in unvaccinated persons, and share effective measles prevention strategies, including vaccination guidance for international travelers.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said that vaccines are being provided in Texas while also highlighting the effectiveness of treatment for patients with vitamin A and other medicines.

The Texas update came after New Mexico officials said the measles outbreak in New Mexico has resulted in 30 cases.

One person who tested positive for measles and was not vaccinated died. The cause of death for that person has yet to be confirmed.

As of March 6, 222 measles cases have been identified in the United States across 12 states, according to the CDC. That does not include the latest updates from Texas and New Mexico, nor a measles case in a traveler who landed at a Virginia airport recently.

Oklahoma officials on March 11 said they have identified two likely measles cases in the state, which borders both Texas and New Mexico.

Both patients had reported exposure associated with the outbreak in those states and symptoms consistent with measles.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the individuals began isolating after realizing they had been exposed to measles.

“These cases highlight the importance of being aware of measles activity as people travel or host visitors,” Kendra Dougherty, director of infectious disease prevention and response at the department, said in a statement.

“When people know they have exposure risk and do not have immunity to measles, they can exclude themselves from public settings for the recommended duration to eliminate the risk of transmission in their community.”