The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is reporting an ongoing outbreak of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. Since late January, a total of 422 cases have been identified. Out of these, 42 patients have been hospitalized, some in serious condition. Tragically, there has been one fatality involving a school-aged child from the outbreak area who was unvaccinated and had no known underlying health conditions.
Currently, Terry County has 41 confirmed cases, which is an increase of four since last Tuesday, March 25, 2025, and accounts for 9.7% of all reported cases. Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak, has reported 280 confirmed cases, an increase of 54, representing 66.4% of all cases. Additionally, Cochran County has one more case for a total of eight, Dallam County increased by one to seven cases, Dawson County is up by one with 14 cases, Garza County has one additional case, totaling two, and Hockley County has one more case, also totaling two.
Ector County has reported an increase of three cases, bringing its total to five, while Yoakum County has seen an increase of three cases, now totaling 16. Lamar County (Paris, TX) has an increase of five cases, totaling 10. Lubbock County has experienced a significant rise of 17 cases, bringing its total to 27. The number of counties with confirmed cases from this outbreak has expanded from 15 to 19. The newly affected counties include Andrews County with one case, Brown County with one case, Erath County (Stephenville) with one case, and Midland County with one case.
In New Mexico, the Department of Health (NMDOH) has confirmed that the measles outbreak in Lea County, which began on February 9, has resulted in one death and currently has 48 confirmed cases. This is an increase from the 41 confirmed cases reported on March 25. The increase in case numbers follows test results from the NMDOH Scientific Laboratory Division and cases identified during investigations of known patients. These additional cases were not reported simultaneously but were identified retrospectively, with many of the patients detected after they had already recovered. Eddy County (Carlsbad, NM) continues to report two cases. Lea County borders Andrews, Gaines, and Yoakum Counties to the east and Eddy County to the west.
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.
Texas Outbreak Case Count by County
Age Ranges of Outbreak Measles Cases
New Mexico Outbreak Case Count by County
| County | Cases | Hospitalizations | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lea County | 46 | 2 | 1 |
| Eddy | 2 | 0 | 0 |
