A rapidly growing measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has public health officials on high alert, with warnings of more cases to come. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported 198 confirmed cases in West Texas as of March 9, 2025, alongside 23 hospitalizations and the tragic death of an unvaccinated school-aged child—the first measles fatality in the U.S. in a decade. Meanwhile, in New Mexico, the case count tripled overnight, surging from 10 to 30, primarily in Lea County near the Texas border.
Health authorities attribute the outbreak’s spread to low vaccination rates, particularly in Texas’ Gaines County, the epicenter of the crisis with 137 cases. Only 82% of kindergarteners there are vaccinated against measles—well below the 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A significant number of infections have been traced to the local Mennonite community, known for historically lower vaccination uptake due to religious or personal beliefs.
“Measles used to kill so many children, and we’re starting to see outbreaks again because parents are not getting their kids vaccinated,” said Dr. Dale Bratzler, a public health expert from the University of Oklahoma. The highly contagious virus, which spreads through the air and can linger in a room for up to two hours after an infected person departs, poses a severe risk to unvaccinated populations. Symptoms include fever, cough, and a distinctive rash, with potential complications like pneumonia or death in vulnerable groups.
The CDC and DSHS are urging immediate action, strongly recommending MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccinations for infants as young as 6 months, children, and unvaccinated adults. “Vaccination is our best defense,” the CDC emphasized in a recent statement, noting that two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing infection. Texas officials have also advised early doses for babies in affected areas and a second dose for adults with only one prior shot.
As the outbreak shows no signs of slowing, health officials fear underreporting—especially in tight-knit communities reluctant to test—could mask the true scope of the crisis. With spring travel season looming, the CDC has called on clinicians nationwide to stay vigilant and ensure vaccination coverage to curb the spread of this preventable disease.
Key Points
- Case Surge: Texas reports 198 measles cases in West Texas, with 23 hospitalized and one unvaccinated child dead; New Mexico’s cases jumped from 10 to 30 overnight.
- Unvaccinated Majority: Most infections are among unvaccinated individuals, concentrated in Gaines County, Texas, where the kindergarten vaccination rate is only 82%.
- Community Impact: A large portion of cases are within the Mennonite community, known for lower vaccination rates, amplifying the outbreak’s reach.
- Expert Warning: Dr. Dale Bratzler highlights the resurgence of measles due to declining vaccination rates, recalling its deadly history.
- Contagion Risk: Measles spreads easily through the air, lingering for up to two hours, making unvaccinated populations highly vulnerable.
- Vaccination Push: The CDC and DSHS urge immediate MMR shots for babies, children, and unvaccinated adults, with Texas recommending early doses in outbreak zones.
