According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the cases of measles in the South Plains region of Texas have grown. As of Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, 124 cases have been identified since late January this includes 21 cases in Terry County. Eighteen of the patients have been hospitalized. Among the cases, five individuals were vaccinated, while the vaccination status of the others is either unvaccinated or unknown. Given the highly contagious nature of measles, additional cases are likely to arise in both the outbreak area and surrounding communities. The Department of State Health Services is collaborating with local health departments to investigate this outbreak.
Also according to the DSHS, multiple health departments in Central and South-Central Texas recently reported measles exposures associated with the ongoing outbreak in the South Plains region of Texas. Healthcare providers in Central and South-Central Texas are asked to review the information in this alert and be vigilant for cases of measles resulting from these exposures.
Texas Case Count by County
| County | Cases |
|---|---|
| Dallam | 4 |
| Dawson | 7 |
| Ector | 2 |
| Gaines | 80 |
| Lubbock | 1 |
| Lynn | 1 |
| Martin | 3 |
| Terry | 21 |
| Yoakum | 5 |
| Total | 124 |
Age Ranges of Measles Cases
| 0-4 years | 5-17 years | 18+ years | Pending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 62 | 18 | 5 |
The measles virus can survive in the air for up to two hours, so the times listed include two hours after the individual left that location. Because measles symptoms can begin 7 to 21 days after an exposure, DSHS is sharing this information with health care providers and the public in the area so unvaccinated people may monitor themselves for symptoms and seek testing if symptoms occur. More information on the possible exposures is available from Hays County Health Department, San Antonio Metro Health District, and Comal County Public Health.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Illness onset (high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes) begins a week or two after someone is exposed. A few days later, the telltale rash breaks out as flat, red spots on the face and then spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. A person is contagious about four days before the rash appears to four days after. People with measles should stay home from work or school during that period.
The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles. Some vaccinated people can occasionally develop measles; however, they generally experience milder symptoms and are less likely to spread the disease to other people. DSHS and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend children receive one dose of MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years. Each MMR dose lowers the risk of infection and severity of illness if infected. Children too young to be vaccinated are more likely to have severe complications if they get infected with the measles virus.
