Measles Outbreak in Texas and New Mexico: A Growing Public Health Crisis
In early March 2025, a measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has sparked widespread concern, marking the largest measles outbreak in Texas in three decades. With 159 confirmed cases in Texas and 10 in New Mexico as of March 4, the situation has escalated, resulting in 22 hospitalizations and, tragically, the first death linked to the outbreak—an unvaccinated school-age child in Texas.
The outbreak has primarily affected Gaines County, Texas, with 107 cases, followed by Terry County (22 cases), Dawson County (9 cases), and Yoakum County (7 cases). In New Mexico, Lea County, which borders Texas, has reported 10 cases, including a deceased unvaccinated man whose cause of death is still under investigation.
The outbreak has disproportionately impacted children, with 74 cases among those aged 5–17 and 53 cases in children under 5. Adults over 18 account for 27 cases. Alarmingly, 80 cases involve unvaccinated individuals, while 74 cases have unknown vaccination status. Only five cases are among vaccinated individuals, underscoring the effectiveness of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which is 97% effective with two doses.
Measles symptoms—fever, rash, cough, fatigue, runny nose, and red eyes—typically appear 10–14 days after exposure. The disease is highly contagious, spreading through coughing, sneezing, and contact with infected surfaces.
The outbreak has drawn attention from public health officials and advocates. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, initially downplayed the outbreak as “not unusual” but later acknowledged its “serious impact.” He has advocated for vitamin A as a treatment, a stance criticized by health experts like Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who urged adults unsure of their vaccination status to get the MMR vaccine.
Sue Kressly, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, called reliance on vitamin A “dangerous and ineffective,” emphasizing the importance of vaccination. Melissa Whitfield, a spokesperson for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, confirmed the death of the unvaccinated child, highlighting the tragic consequences of vaccine hesitancy.
This outbreak is part of a troubling trend. Measles, declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, has seen a resurgence in recent years. In 2024, 285 cases were reported across 33 states. Texas, in particular, has struggled with vaccination rates, with 5.64% of kindergarten students and 2.34% of seventh graders unvaccinated for measles during the 2023–2024 school year.
Other states, including California, Alaska, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, have also reported cases, though on a smaller scale.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has warned that additional cases are likely due to measles’ highly contagious nature. RFK Jr. called the outbreak a “call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health.”
As the outbreak continues to unfold, the importance of vaccination cannot be overstated. The MMR vaccine remains the most effective tool to prevent measles and protect vulnerable populations. For those unsure of their vaccination status, health experts strongly recommend getting vaccinated to safeguard both individual and community health.
This outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the critical role vaccines play in public health and the devastating consequences of vaccine hesitancy. Let’s hope it also serves as a turning point in the fight against preventable diseases.
