Measles Outbreak in Texas: What You Need to Know
The measles outbreak that began in West Texas has rapidly added cases over the past month, with confirmed cases found in the Panhandle and potential exposures reported in San Antonio and San Marcos.
So far, the outbreak has not led to any confirmed cases in Dallas-Fort Worth, according to a Tuesday news release from the Texas Department of State Health Services. (The Rockwall County measles case reported in late February is believed to be separate from the West Texas outbreak.)
But with the ongoing outbreak already the largest the state has seen in decades, health experts say it’s possible it could spread to other parts of the state, including the metroplex.
Whether or not the outbreak does spread to Dallas-Fort Worth depends on two main factors: travel and vaccination.
“There are pockets of unvaccinated individuals all across Texas,” said Matt Richardson, the public health director in Denton County.
“If you have an active outbreak of measles, and if there is any of the close interactions of those individuals with another unvaccinated group, that’s where the measles outbreak itself could explode,” Richardson added.
The outbreak, which began in a Mennonite community in Gaines County near the New Mexico border, grew to 159 confirmed cases on Tuesday. A total of 22 people have been hospitalized and one child, who was not vaccinated, has died. The Texas case count does not include an additional nine cases identified in New Mexico.
Because of the outbreak, the state of Texas has already reported more measles cases in 2025 than in any other full year since 1992.
How Measles Spreads
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, but it spreads mostly among unvaccinated people.
The two-dose measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is 97% effective against measles, offering robust protection against the virus. Both the vaccination and prior infection also continue to protect a person for a long time, typically throughout their life, meaning most people do not need to get boosted or revaccinated.
A community is considered to be protected against the virus if 95% or more of the population has been vaccinated, a percentage threshold called “herd immunity.” For that reason, highly vaccinated communities are extremely unlikely to see measles cases, even if the current outbreak moves closer.
Not Inevitable
“If everyone gets up to date … there’s no inevitability that we’ll see this,” said Dr. Philip Huang, the director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.
On the flip side, schools, churches and other communities with low vaccination rates are at risk. It’s impossible to say whether a measles case from the West Texas outbreak will make its way into a D-FW community with low vaccination rates. But, if it does, that community would almost certainly see an outbreak of its own.
“Any place that has low — under 90% — vaccination coverage in schools is vulnerable in Texas, because there is travel,” Hotez said. “This is getting large enough and there’s enough travel back and forth that you worry about it.”
Travel and Measles
Even unvaccinated people won’t catch the measles virus unless they’re exposed to it.
The West Texas outbreak will only spread to North Texas if an infected person travels between the communities — and it’s very difficult to predict how likely that is, health officials said.
“If they’re traveling to areas where the immunization rate is 95% or higher, then that’s not a risk,” said Dr. Paul Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “It has to do with who’s moving, where are they traveling to, and how susceptible is the population they’re traveling to?”
Prepping for the Worst
North Texas health officials say they’re preparing for the possibility the outbreak could spread to their backyards.
Dallas County Health and Human Services is holding measles-mumps-rubella vaccination clinics this week, in coordination with local school districts, according to public health officials.
Denton County Public Health has so far not seen an uptick in measles vaccinations at their regular walk-in clinics, Richardson said, but is monitoring the demand and would set up specific clinics if needed.
Dr. Kenton Murthy, assistant medical director in Tarrant County, similarly said Tarrant County Public Health has not set up measles-specific vaccination efforts at this time.
Importance of Vaccination
Murthy emphasized measles will not create a COVID-level outbreak, because there’s already a highly effective vaccine in supply.
“Measles has been around for eons,” Murthy said. “Yes, one outbreak is a concern, but we won’t get to the levels like we saw with COVID. So that being said though, we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
The local health officials said they’re monitoring the outbreak and coordinating with local hospitals, schools and medical providers. Most of all, they underscored the importance of vaccination, particularly against a virus that’s so contagious and with a vaccine that’s so effective.
What You Can Do
“We cannot turn our back on decades and decades of protecting kids,” Richardson said. “We’ve got to pick up that baton and we’ve got to continue running with it.”
Local health agencies across the state provide measles vaccinations in their regular clinics. For more information on Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties’ clinics, visit their websites. Some health agencies, particularly in the outbreak area, have also hosted measles-specific vaccine clinics.
People across the state can also contact their doctor or pharmacy to ask about vaccination.
Conclusion
The measles outbreak in Texas is a serious concern, and it’s essential to take steps to protect yourself and your community. By getting vaccinated and staying informed, you can help prevent the spread of the virus and keep your community safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is measles?
A: Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash.
Q: How is measles spread?
A: Measles is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and can also be spread by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus.
Q: How can I protect myself from measles?
A: The best way to protect yourself from measles is to get vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Q: What are the symptoms of measles?
A: Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash that typically appears 3-5 days after the onset of symptoms.
Q: Is measles serious?
A: Yes, measles can be serious, especially for young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis, and death.
