Texas is confronting its most severe measles outbreak in more than three decades, with confirmed cases reaching 750 as of late June 2025. The outbreak, which began in January, has resulted in two child fatalities and nearly 100 hospitalizations, predominantly affecting unvaccinated populations in rural West Texas. Health officials are intensifying efforts to contain the spread through vaccination campaigns and public awareness initiatives.
The outbreak’s epicenter is Gaines County, where low vaccination rates have facilitated rapid transmission. As of June 24, Gaines County accounted for approximately 55% of the state’s cases. The virus has since spread to 35 counties across Texas and into neighboring states, including New Mexico and Oklahoma. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reports that less than 1% of the confirmed cases are currently infectious, indicating a potential plateau in new infections.
The majority of those affected are children and adolescents. Data from DSHS indicates that most cases involve individuals who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Only a small fraction of cases occurred in individuals who had received one or more doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Gaines County, the outbreak’s focal point, has one of the highest rates of vaccine exemptions in Texas, particularly among Mennonite communities. State data reveals that nearly 14% of students in the county had vaccine exemptions in the previous school year, significantly above the state average of approximately 2%.
In response to the outbreak, DSHS has collaborated with local health departments to implement vaccination clinics, conduct contact tracing, and disseminate public health information. As of May 9, the state’s response efforts had incurred costs exceeding $6.8 million.
Health officials emphasize the importance of achieving a 95% vaccination rate to establish herd immunity and prevent future outbreaks. However, vaccine hesitancy and misinformation continue to pose significant challenges to public health initiatives.
The Texas outbreak contributes to a broader resurgence of measles in the United States, with over 300 cases reported nationwide in the first three months of 2025. This marks the highest number of cases in a five-year period, underscoring the critical need for sustained vaccination efforts and public health vigilance.
As Texas continues to address this public health crisis, officials urge residents to verify their vaccination status and seek immunization if necessary. The MMR vaccine remains the most effective measure to prevent measles and protect community health.
