AUSTIN, Texas — Texas health officials are sounding the alarm as the state’s measles outbreak continues to intensify, with 753 confirmed cases reported since January. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) identified 20 new infections as of mid-April, signaling ongoing transmission. The outbreak is now one of the largest in the state’s recent history, prompting a coordinated public health response and renewed calls for vaccination.
Gaines County, located in the western part of the state, remains the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for over 55% of all confirmed cases. Public health experts attribute the concentration of cases to low vaccination rates and localized community spread, often within households or close-knit groups where immunization rates have historically lagged behind the state average.
According to DSHS, fewer than 25 of the current cases are considered actively infectious. Still, the outbreak has led to at least 58 hospitalizations, including several cases requiring intensive care. Many of the hospitalized patients are children under the age of five — a demographic especially vulnerable to complications from measles, including pneumonia and encephalitis.
The state has officially designated multiple counties as outbreak zones and is deploying resources to increase vaccination outreach, distribute informational materials, and conduct mobile immunization clinics. A major component of the response has been a bilingual public health campaign emphasizing the safety and effectiveness of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Neighboring states are also feeling the impact. New Mexico has reported 63 cases, and Oklahoma has confirmed 12, according to their respective health departments. This regional spread has heightened concern among federal officials and intensified surveillance along state borders.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has sent epidemiologists and emergency response personnel to assist Texas’s health agencies. In addition to helping with contact tracing and data analysis, the CDC is coordinating with hospitals to improve infection control practices and advising school districts on outbreak management strategies. The agency has also flagged the outbreak in its national alerts system, warning other states to remain vigilant.
The majority of those infected are unvaccinated individuals, many of whom are children whose parents opted out of immunization. This trend is renewing debate over vaccine mandates and exemptions. Texas allows for both medical and non-medical (conscience-based) exemptions from school vaccine requirements — a policy that public health experts argue undermines community immunity.
“This outbreak is a stark reminder of what can happen when vaccination coverage falls below critical thresholds,” said Dr. Jennifer Shuford, Commissioner of the Texas DSHS. “We are urging all Texans to check their vaccination status and get the MMR vaccine if they haven’t already.”
The MMR vaccine is recommended for all children starting at 12 to 15 months of age, with a second dose given between 4 and 6 years. Adults born after 1957 who haven’t been vaccinated or previously had measles should also consider immunization. Health providers across the state have been instructed to prioritize vaccination efforts and expedite appointments for at-risk populations.
This is not the first time Texas has experienced a measles outbreak, but the scale of this year’s cases is raising questions about state preparedness and funding. The Washington Post reported that recent cuts to federal public health funding may have hindered Texas’s initial response, particularly in rural counties with limited health infrastructure.
As schools prepare for the upcoming academic year, some districts are reviewing attendance policies and quarantine protocols in case measles cases emerge among students. Health officials have warned that the virus could gain traction in schools if vaccination coverage remains insufficient.
The public is encouraged to stay informed through official channels. The DSHS has launched a dedicated measles outbreak webpage providing real-time updates, FAQs, and guidance for families and healthcare providers.
