Measles continues to spread… now in east Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. Since late January, a total of 259 cases have been identified. As of March 14, 2025, Terry County has recorded 36 confirmed cases, an increase of four cases since March 11. Gaines County remains the outbreak’s epicenter with 174 confirmed cases, which is an increase of 18 cases since March 11. Yoakum County has reported 11 confirmed cases, up from 10 on March 11, while Dawson County also reports 11 cases, an increase from 10 on the same date.

Cochran County (Morton) is now reporting six confirmed cases, marking the first report since the outbreak began. Dallam County has six confirmed cases, an increase from five on March 11. Lubbock County has reported one additional confirmed case, now totaling four. Lamar County (Paris, TX) has four confirmed cases associated with the measles outbreak in the South Plains.

So far, 34 patients have been hospitalized, and some cases are very serious. There has been one fatality involving a school-aged child from the outbreak area who was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions. Due to the highly contagious nature of measles, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and surrounding communities. The DSHS is collaborating 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 has led to one death and 35 confirmed cases since February 9. The increase in case numbers follows test results from the NMDOH Scientific Laboratory Division and cases identified during investigations of known patients. These cases were not reported simultaneously but were identified retrospectively, with many being detected after the patients had already recovered. Eddy County (Carlsbad, NM) is now reporting two cases, up from one on March 11. Lea County borders Andrews, Gaines, and Yoakum Counties to the east and Eddy County to the west.

The deceased was an unvaccinated adult from Lea County who tested positive for measles after death and did not seek medical care before passing. The NMDOH Scientific Laboratory Division has confirmed this information; however, the official cause of death is still under investigation by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator.

Texas Outbreak Case Count by County (as of 03/14/2025)

Age Ranges of Outbreak Measles Cases

New Mexico Case Count by County (as of 03/14/2025)

Age Ranges of Measles Cases: