Is There a Measles Outbreak in Texas?

Yes, there is a major measles outbreak in Texas right now. Measles, a highly contagious viral disease that was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, has made an alarming comeback in 2025. What was once considered a relic of the past has now become a pressing public health concern, with Texas experiencing its largest measles outbreak since the disease’s elimination.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that as of June 2025, 742 people have contracted the virus. Of those cases, 94 people needed to be hospitalized, and sadly, two children have passed away. The outbreak is happening in several counties including Cochran, Dawson, Gaines, Lamar, Lubbock, Terry and Yoakum.

If you or someone in your family has symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash, head into a Complete Care ER location right away — getting checked early can protect your health and stop the disease from spreading to other people.

For life-threatening situations, please call 911.

Is Texas having a measles outbreak?

According to data provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas’ measles outbreak started when the first case was confirmed in Gaines County on January 23. What began as a small cluster has since grown dramatically; by March, over 94% of cases were concentrated in just six counties that make up less than one percent of the state’s total population.

The Texas DSHS has been tracking this outbreak closely and provides updates twice a week. The outbreak area has expanded from the original counties to now include ten counties: 

1. Cochran
2. Dallam
3. Dawson
4. Gaines
5. Garza
6. Lynn
7. Lamar
8. Lubbock
9. Terry
10. Yoakum

The disease has also spread beyond the main outbreak area, with infected people traveling to places like San Marcos and San Antonio before they knew they were sick.

To put this into perspective, before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, the United States saw around 3 million to 4 million cases per year — now, it’s usually fewer than 200 in a year. The outbreak in Texas alone has already seen more cases than the entire country has seen in a given year since the vaccine was introduced, making it a serious public health concern that health officials are working hard to control.

Why is measles making a comeback?

Measles was once considered one of the most common childhood illnesses, but vaccination nearly eliminated it from the United States by the year 2000. In the years since, several factors have created the perfect conditions for this vaccine measles outbreak to occur:

• Declining vaccination rates: Childhood vaccination rates have dropped from 95% in 2019 to just 92.7% nationwide in 2023, with some Texas counties falling well below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
• Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation: Misinformation about vaccine safety has led some parents to skip or delay their children’s vaccinations.
• COVID-19 pandemic disruptions: The pandemic interrupted routine healthcare visits and vaccination schedules, leaving many children behind on their immunizations.
• Concentrated unvaccinated communities: When groups of unvaccinated people live close together, measles can spread rapidly through the entire community.
• International travel: People can bring measles back from countries where the disease is still common, introducing it to vulnerable communities.

The result is that what was once a nearly eliminated disease is now threatening communities across the country. Health experts warn that without urgent action to improve vaccination rates, measles outbreaks will likely become larger and more frequent.

What is the best protection against measles?

The best way to protect yourself and your family from measles is through vaccination with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. This safe and highly effective vaccine not only protects against measles, but also prevents mumps and rubella. Here’s who should get vaccinated:

• Children: Two doses are recommended — the first at 12-15 months of age, and the second at 4-6 years old
• Infants in outbreak areas: Babies as young as 6 months can receive an early dose if they live in areas with active measles transmission
• Adults born after 1957: Should have at least one dose of MMR if they don’t have proof of vaccination or immunity
• High-risk adults: Healthcare workers, international travelers, and college students should have two doses

The vaccine is considered very safe, with only mild side effects like soreness at the injection site or low-grade fever. The false claim linking the MMR vaccine to autism has been thoroughly debunked by extensive scientific research. According to the CDC, one dose of MMR vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses provide 97% protection.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Recognizing measles early is important for getting proper care and preventing the spread to others. With states with measles cases now spanning from Texas to Alaska to New York, knowing what to look for can help protect your family and community.

Measles symptoms and treatment follow a predictable pattern that develops over several days. The illness typically starts with flu-like symptoms that appear 7-14 days after exposure:

Early symptoms (first 2-4 days):

• High fever that can reach 104-105°F
• Dry cough that won’t go away
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Small white spots inside the mouth (called Koplik spots)
• Feeling very tired and unwell

The rash stage (days 3-5):

After the initial symptoms, the characteristic measles rash appears. How does measles look? The rash starts as flat, red spots on the face and behind the ears, then spreads down the neck, chest, arms, and legs over several days. Unlike an RSV rash, which tends to be more localized, the measles rash covers most of the body, and the spots may blend together to form larger blotchy patches. The rash usually isn’t itchy, but when it appears, the high fever often spikes even higher.

Recovery stage:

The fever typically breaks and the rash begins to fade after about a week, clearing from the top of the body downward. However, people remain contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after, so isolation during this entire period is crucial to prevent spreading the disease to others.

What to do if you’ve been exposed to measles

If you think you or your family member has been exposed to someone with measles, quick action can help prevent infection or reduce the severity of the disease. Time is critical when it comes to measles exposure, so knowing what steps to take can make all the difference in protecting your health.

Take these important steps right away:

1. Contact your healthcare provider immediately and call before going to the office to let them know about the possible exposure
2. Gather your vaccination records to determine if you’ve had two MMR doses or previous measles infection
3. Monitor for symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes starting 7-21 days after exposure
4. Ask about post-exposure treatments: MMR vaccine (effective within 72 hours) or immune globulin (effective within 6 days)
5. Consider treatment especially if you’re unvaccinated, under 12 months old, pregnant without immunity, immunocompromised, or have only one MMR dose

The sooner treatment is given after exposure, the more effective it can be. Don’t wait or hope for the best — contact your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect exposure from the most recent measles outbreak, as early action could prevent you from getting sick or reduce how severe the illness becomes.

Protect yourself and your community with measles care from a Complete Care 24/7 freestanding ER

The measles outbreak in Texas has shown us how quickly this dangerous disease can spread through communities when vaccination rates drop. Whether you need emergency care for symptoms or post-exposure treatment, Complete Care is here to help protect you and your family around the clock.

Our 24/7 freestanding emergency rooms are strategically located to serve communities across Texas and Colorado, including Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Colorado Springs. Each location is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and staffed by emergency-trained physicians who understand how to safely diagnose and treat infectious diseases like measles while protecting other patients and staff.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, have been exposed to someone with measles, or have questions about your vaccination status, visit your nearest Complete Care location for expert medical care when you need it most.

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