The Texas Department of State Health Services is currently reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains, Permian Basin, Panhandle, Hill Country, and northeast Texas regions of Texas, with Gaines County identified as the epicenter. Since late January, a total of 481 confirmed cases have been reported. Out of these, fifty-six patients have been hospitalized, with some in serious condition. Tragically, there has been one fatality involving a school-aged child from the outbreak area. This child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying health conditions.
Terry County currently has 43 confirmed COVID-19 cases, which is an increase of two since Tuesday, April 2025. This accounts for 8.9% of all reported cases. Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak, is now reporting 315 confirmed cases, an increase of 35 since Tuesday. This represents 65.5% of all cases.
Additionally, Cochran County has reported one more case, bringing its total to nine. Dawson County increased by six cases, resulting in a total of 20. Ector County has three more cases, now totaling eight. Hale County has two additional cases, reaching a total of three, and Hockley County has one more case for a total of three as well. Lamar County (Paris, TX) has increased by one case, bringing its total to 11. Lubbock County has risen by six cases, totaling 33. Lynn County added one more case, now totaling two, and Yoakum County has reported one additional case, bringing its total to 17.
The counties of Andrews, Brown, Erath (Stephenville), Lamb, and Midland each have one confirmed case, but their numbers have not increased. Garza County has two confirmed cases, and Martin County has three, with neither reporting an increase. Dallam County has seven confirmed cases, but its number of cases has also remained the same. In total, 19 counties are affected by the Gaines County outbreak.
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.
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.
Texas Outbreak Case Count by County
Age Ranges of Outbreak Measles Cases
New Mexico Case Count by County
