Texas Department of State Health Services announced on Monday that the measles outbreak in West Texas has ended. But low vaccination rates mean that future outbreaks could occur. (Photo by Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)
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The Texas Department of State Health Services announced on Monday that the measles outbreak in the western part of the state has ended. However, officials warned that the risk of new cases remains high. They stressed the importance of vaccination in preventing infections, reducing disease severity, and limiting the spread of the virus.
The initial cases linked to the current outbreak were reported in January. Over the following seven months, 762 cases were confirmed, leading to 99 hospitalizations and two fatalities. Children under 5 years old accounted for about 30% of the cases, while over two-thirds were in individuals under 18 years old. Shockingly, only 21 out of the 762 infected individuals had received the recommended two-dose measles vaccine.
Most of the cases were concentrated in the western part of the state, with Gaines County alone reporting 414 cases. However, the virus spread beyond this area, with linked cases reported in various Texas counties, as well as in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Mexico, and Canada. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals were predominant among the cases in all locations.
Measles is an extremely contagious airborne disease characterized by a high fever, respiratory symptoms, conjunctivitis, and a distinctive rash. Symptoms typically manifest about 14 days after exposure to the virus, with some cases experiencing a longer incubation period. Experts consider an outbreak officially over if no new cases are reported for two incubation periods or 42 days.
Despite misconceptions about measles being a benign childhood illness, statistics from the CDC reveal that approximately 20% of unvaccinated individuals in the U.S. who contract measles require hospitalization. The disease proves fatal in about one to three out of every 1,000 unvaccinated children, with potential complications such as brain swelling, leading to long-term hearing and cognitive issues. Measles infection during pregnancy can also result in increased risks of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and miscarriage.
Fortunately, measles is preventable through vaccination, typically administered as part of the measles mumps rubella (MMR) shot. The vaccine has been proven to be safe and highly effective. Prior to the introduction of the first measles vaccine in 1963, the U.S. witnessed half a million cases annually, whereas only 47 cases were reported in 2023. Recent outbreaks have predominantly affected unvaccinated individuals.
Contrary to misinformation, no scientific evidence links the MMR vaccine to autism, and the vaccine has never contained thimerosal or any form of mercury. While some individuals may experience adverse reactions, the overall safety profile of the MMR vaccine is excellent.
Although the current measles outbreak in Texas has officially ended, the threat of new cases looms large. In 2025, cases have been reported in 40 U.S. states and multiple countries worldwide. Any interaction between an infected individual and unvaccinated persons poses a risk of further spread. As highlighted by the CDC, “Measles anywhere is a threat everywhere.”
