Texas health officials announced Monday that the state’s end of Texas measles outbreak, marking a significant milestone in efforts to contain one of the most contagious viruses in the world.
The outbreak, centered in West Texas, led to 762 confirmed cases since late January, nearly 100 hospitalizations, and the deaths of two school-aged children, the first U.S. measles fatalities since 2015. No new cases have been reported in affected counties for more than 42 days, meeting the definition for the outbreak’s conclusion.
“Through testing, vaccination, disease monitoring, and community education, we successfully contained this outbreak,” said Dr. Jennifer Shuford, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. “The work of health professionals across the state made this possible.”
Regional Impact and Ongoing Concerns on Texas measles outbreak
While Texas health officials consider the outbreak resolved, its ripple effects extended into neighboring states. New Mexico has recorded 100 cases this year, including one death, and continues to treat the spread as an ongoing outbreak. Oklahoma and possibly Kansas also reported cases linked to the Texas surge.
“Our agency sees this outbreak as part of the larger regional outbreak that has taken place around the country, including in Texas,” a New Mexico health department spokesperson said. “We are still urging residents to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as protection.”
Nationwide, measles has resurged at levels unseen in more than 30 years. The U.S. has reported more than 1,350 cases in 2025, surpassing totals recorded since measles was declared eliminated in 2000. Texas accounts for over half of this year’s cases.
Vaccination Rates and Vulnerabilities
Health experts have pointed to low vaccination rates as a key factor behind the outbreak. In Gaines County, the epicenter of the Texas measles outbreak cases, kindergarten vaccination coverage ranks among the lowest in the state.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about two-thirds of Texas cases occurred in children, and the overwhelming majority of those infected nationwide were unvaccinated. Fewer than 10% of this year’s U.S. measles cases involved individuals who had received at least one MMR dose.
The CDC also reports a troubling trend: vaccination exemptions for incoming kindergartners, often granted for religious or personal reasons, have reached record highs during the 2024–25 school year. Public health officials warn that these gaps in immunization create conditions ripe for outbreaks.
“Ending this outbreak doesn’t mean measles is gone,” Texas health officials said in a statement. “Ongoing outbreaks across North America and the world mean additional cases in Texas are likely. Providers must stay vigilant.”
Despite the Texas declared end of Texas measles outbreak, experts stress that vigilance is essential. The virus remains one of the most contagious pathogens, spreading rapidly in communities with low immunization coverage.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, explained that measles is far more infectious than most people realize, capable of lingering in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a space.
For many physicians in Texas, this outbreak marked the first time treating measles patients firsthand. Dr. Shuford praised their efforts: “This was a virus many had never encountered in person before. Their ability to respond quickly and provide care was critical.”
As the U.S. faces record-high case counts, public health officials emphasize that vaccination remains the strongest defense. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for children, which is about 97% effective in preventing measles.
While Texas has achieved an important milestone in halting transmission, health authorities nationwide caution that the risk remains far from over.
