Measles Outbreak in Texas and New Mexico Climbs to 351 Cases

State Health Departments Report Significant Surge

A significant measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has reached 351 confirmed cases, as reported by state health departments, marking a sharp increase of 34 infections in just three days. This surge highlights one of the most substantial measles outbreaks in the United States over the past decade, surpassing the total of 285 cases recorded nationwide in 2024, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The rapid escalation underscores the highly contagious nature of measles, a viral disease preventable through vaccination, and raises concerns about public health strategies in regions with notable unvaccinated populations. With hospitalizations on the rise and cases spilling across state lines, this outbreak has drawn national attention to the importance of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, as emphasized by health authorities.

The epicenter of this measles outbreak lies in Gaines County, Texas, where cases have climbed to 211 from 191 as of March 18, per the Texas Department of State Health Services. This rural county in West Texas has seen a dramatic uptick, with hospitalizations increasing to 40 from 36, reflecting the severity of some infections. Across the border in New Mexico, the case count rose to 42 from 38, primarily concentrated in Lea County (40 cases), which neighbors Gaines County, and two additional cases in Eddy County, as reported by the New Mexico Department of Health. The geographic proximity of these counties has facilitated the spread, with Oklahoma also reporting four probable cases linked to exposure from this outbreak, all among unvaccinated individuals exhibiting measles-like symptoms. This cross-state transmission illustrates the challenges of containing such a highly infectious disease in areas with interconnected communities and varying vaccination rates.

Vaccination status remains a critical factor in this outbreak, with Texas classifying 307 patients as unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status, meaning they lacked documented MMR doses more than 14 days before symptom onset. In New Mexico, among the 42 cases, 30 were unvaccinated, four had received at least one vaccine dose, and eight had unknown status. These statistics highlight the protective power of the MMR vaccine and point to a troubling trend of vaccine hesitancy or access issues in affected regions. The CDC has long touted the MMR vaccine as the cornerstone of measles prevention, a stance reinforced by this outbreak’s data showing the majority of cases tied to unvaccinated individuals. Public health experts note that measles spreads rapidly in communities with vaccination rates below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, a threshold some areas in Texas and New Mexico may not be meeting due to exemptions or declining immunization rates since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Detailed Insights into the Measles Outbreak in Texas and New Mexico

The measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico began in late January 2025 in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas, quickly escalating into a public health emergency. By March 21, 2025, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported a statewide total of 317 cases, with 309 tied to the outbreak in the South Plains and Panhandle, predominantly in Gaines County (211 cases), Terry County (37 cases), and Dawson County (13 cases). An additional eight cases scattered across counties like Harris, Lamar, Midland, Rockwall, and Travis are linked to international travel rather than this primary outbreak. Meanwhile, New Mexico’s 42 cases are almost entirely clustered in Lea County, reflecting a direct spillover from Texas. Together, the outbreak-specific total of 351 cases across these two states paints a stark picture of a regional crisis with broader implications for national measles control efforts.

Health impacts are severe, with Texas reporting 40 hospitalizations and two deaths, one a school-aged child and the other an adult in New Mexico, underscoring the potential lethality of measles, particularly among the unvaccinated. Symptoms of measles, including high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash, can lead to complications like pneumonia or encephalitis, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children or immunocompromised individuals. The rise in hospitalizations from 36 to 40 in Texas over three days signals an increasing burden on healthcare systems, while the fatalities serve as a grim reminder of the stakes involved. Public health officials are ramping up efforts to trace contacts and isolate cases, but the disease’s long incubation period (7 to 21 days) and airborne transmission make containment challenging, particularly in communities where some forgo testing, potentially underreporting the true scope.

Vaccination Challenges and Public Health Response

The high proportion of unvaccinated cases in this measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has reignited debates over vaccination policies and public awareness. In Texas, the 307 unvaccinated or unknown-status patients represent a significant vulnerability, with experts suggesting that declining vaccination rates since the pandemic, coupled with a rise in personal belief exemptions, may be contributing factors. New Mexico’s data similarly shows a majority of unvaccinated cases, though a small number of breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals indicate that while the MMR vaccine is highly effective (97% with two doses), it is not infallible, particularly against intense exposure. The CDC’s March 7 health advisory to clinicians emphasized the low risk of widespread measles transmission nationally due to overall high vaccination coverage, yet this outbreak reveals localized gaps that can fuel significant clusters.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a figure known for questioning vaccine safety in the past, has acknowledged the outbreak’s severity, pledging federal resources, including vaccines, to affected areas. This response contrasts with his historical skepticism, drawing scrutiny from both supporters and critics amid the crisis. The CDC continues to advocate for the MMR vaccine, citing its safety and efficacy, while state health departments are intensifying vaccination campaigns, targeting schools, clinics, and underserved communities. However, challenges persist, including misinformation about vaccine risks and logistical barriers in rural areas like Gaines and Lea Counties, where access to healthcare may be limited. Efforts to boost vaccination rates are critical, as projections suggest this outbreak could quadruple last year’s national case count if unchecked, per Reuters estimates.

Broader Implications for Measles Prevention in the U.S.

This measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico serves as a case study in the interplay between vaccination coverage, community immunity, and disease resurgence. Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to widespread immunization, but imported cases from international travel and pockets of vaccine hesitancy have sparked periodic outbreaks. The current situation, with 351 cases and counting, ranks among the largest since the 2019 outbreak in New York, which saw over 1,200 cases. Unlike that event, driven by specific religious communities, this outbreak appears tied to broader regional trends in vaccination uptake, exacerbated by post-pandemic shifts in public health priorities. The spillover to Oklahoma, with four probable cases, suggests potential for further spread if containment falters, particularly in states with similar demographic or immunization profiles.

Public health strategies moving forward will likely focus on enhancing measles vaccination rates in Texas and New Mexico, improving surveillance, and addressing misinformation. The outbreak’s scale has prompted calls for federal and state collaboration to ensure vaccine availability and education reach high-risk areas. For individuals, the CDC recommends two MMR doses for children (at 11-15 months and 4-6 years) and at least one dose for adults, with travelers and healthcare workers urged to confirm immunity. As this measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico continues to evolve, it stands as a potent reminder of the fragility of herd immunity and the enduring need for proactive immunization efforts to safeguard public health.