In February 2025, public health officials in Texas reported the death of an unvaccinated child following a measles infection. As of this writing, national health authorities report at least three outbreaks of the highly infectious, vaccine-preventable disease across eight states. As communities prepare for potential increases in cases, Lead Stories has compiled information summarizing the Texas outbreak, how cases have increased in recent years, and how community members can protect themselves.
One Texas child dead, several in intensive care as a result of having measles
Texas hospital network Covenant Health System representatives confirmed the first death related to the area measles outbreak in a press release, writing that an "unvaccinated school-aged child" had died.
Local health officials noted in a press briefing on February 26, 2025, that the patient "passed away from complications from the measles virus." The child did not reside in Lubbock County. Measles had been previously reported in the community. As of the press briefing, more than 20 patients had been admitted to the Covenant Health Children's Hospital, several of whom required intensive care as a result of having measles.
Lubbock Public Health wrote in a press release that measles cases are rising both regionally and statewide, noting that:
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It starts with symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads across the body, and can lead to dangerous complications like pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death, especially for young unvaccinated or immunocompromised children. The virus can linger in the air for hours, meaning even brief exposure puts unvaccinated individuals at risk.
Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in humans and has been recorded across cultures since at least the 16th century. The World Health Organization (WHO) writes that "measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease" that can lead to severe complications and death.
The agency adds that globally:
Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year.
An estimated 107,500 people died from measles in 2023 - mostly children under the age of five years, despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine.
The original measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was first licensed for public use in 1961, with improved versions being introduced in the years following.
Outbreaks reported across the U.S in early 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines an outbreak as three more related cases. As of this writing, measles outbreaks had been reported in Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas. (Note: CDC data reported 93 cases nationally as of February 20, 2025. This data does not reflect more current figures published by state authorities.)
The CDC writes that a quarter of measles cases in 2025 resulted in hospitalizations, 60 percent of those being in individuals under 19. Children under five comprise 43 percent of hospital-admitted cases as of this publication.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported an outbreak of measles on February 25, 2025, in the South Plains region of the state. According to the most recent available figures, 124 cases were identified since late January, 18 of which were hospitalized. Five patients were vaccinated; the rest were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.
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 comparison to Texas' 124 cases so far in 2025, there were 285 measles cases across the entire United States in 2024.
Measles numbers over the years
Measles was eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, meaning there was no local spread; new cases were only identified in people who had contracted the virus while traveling abroad.
Before the vaccine became widely available, it's estimated that between 3 million and 4 million people in the U.S. were infected with measles each year, resulting in around 400 to 500 deaths annually. An estimated 48,000 people were hospitalized each year, with around 1,000 experiencing swelling of the brain, known as encephalitis.
That number declined dramatically following the vaccine's introduction, with just dozens or hundreds being infected in the U.S. each year. For example, the below graph published by the CDC shows the decline of reported measles cases from 1962, when the vaccine became publicly available, to 2023:
(Source: CDC data downloaded Thu Feb 27 2025)
Below are two additional charts published by the CC that show yearly measles cases from 1985 to February 20, 2025, (left) and a closer examination of annual cases between 2000 and February 20, 2025 (right).
(Source: CDC data downloaded Thu Feb 27 2025)
Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease
Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles transmission. Because measles is so highly infectious, health experts report that mass vaccination is essential for widespread community protection, requiring at least 95 percent immunity among a population to prevent an epidemic.
Symptoms like a high fever, cough, and runny nose usually begin within two weeks of infection. Within days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots called Koplik spots can appear within the mouth. A rash characterized by small raised bumps typically occurs within five days after the first symptoms, beginning on the face or hairline and spreading downward to the feet.
(Source CDC photos downloaded Thu Feb 27 2025)
WHO further characterizes measles, writing on its website:
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.
Measles can affect anyone but is most common in children.
Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash all over the body.
Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people. The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virus.
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that those not immunized against the virus receive the MMR vaccine.
Childhood vaccination recommendations are:
CDC recommends two doses of measles-containing vaccine routinely for children, starting with the first dose at age 12 through 15 months and the second dose at age 4 through 6 years before school entry. This can be administered as MMR or MMRV vaccine. Children can receive the second dose of MMR vaccine earlier than 4 through 6 years, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose. A second dose of MMRV vaccine can be given 3 months after the first dose up to 12 years of age.
CDC recommends that separate MMR and varicella vaccines be given for the first dose in children aged 12-47 months; however, MMRV may be used if parents or caregivers express a preference.
Adult vaccination recommendations are:
Adults should also be up to date on MMR vaccinations with either 1 or 2 doses (depending on risk factors) unless they have other presumptive evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella.
One dose of MMR vaccine, or other presumptive evidence of immunity, is sufficient for most adults. Providers generally do not need to actively screen adult patients for measles immunity in non-outbreak areas in the U.S. After vaccination, it is also not necessary to test patients for antibodies to confirm immunity. There is no recommendation for a catch-up program among adults for a second dose of MMR (e.g., persons born before 1989 or otherwise).
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