Measles Outbreak in Texas Reaches Nearly 150 Cases, Outbreak Likely To Grow

The measles outbreak in Texas continues to grow. As of Friday morning, the state health department is reporting nearly 150 cases and that number is likely to grow over the weekend.

Texas State Health officials reported 146 cases of measles that have been identified since the outbreak began in late January. So far, twenty patients have been admitted into hospitals and one-school aged child who was unvaccinated has died in a Lubbock hospital.

The vast majority of those cases, 141 of the 146, have been people who are not vaccinated against measles. The majority of cases have also been children.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Gaines County still leads in the number of cases with 98 total cases of measles. Terry County has had 21 cases. Texas has already reported more measles cases in 2025 than in any of the full year since 1992 according to the Dallas Morning News.

READ MORE: Need a Measles Shot in the Lubbock Area? A Quick and Easy Solution

Some health officials are also pointing to the large Mennonite population in Gaines County as a possible source of the outbreak. According to KFF Health News, the Mennonite populations "often shuns vaccinations".

What Are Symptoms of Measles?

Symptoms appear 7 to 21 days after contact with the virus, and may include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• 2-3 days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth.
• 3-5 days after symptoms begin, a rash that appears flat and red may appear on the face and hairline. This rash tends to spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.

When Should Someone Take Emergency Care?

• High fever (over 103°F).
• Severe cough or difficulty breathing.
• Signs of severe complications like seizures, confusion, or extreme fatigue/weakness.
• Dehydration

For those who have questions, reach out to your medical provider or call Lubbock Public Health at 806-775-2933.