The number of people infected in Texas’ measles outbreak has now reached 624, state health officials said Tuesday. That’s an increase of 27 cases since the prior report, issued April 18.
Twenty six counties have now reported at least one infection, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. A total of 64 people have been hospitalized since the outbreak began in January, and two school-age children, both unvaccinated, have died after contracting the virus.
West Texas’ Gaines County, which borders New Mexico, remains the outbreak’s epicenter, with 386 cases, state numbers show.
The outbreak is Texas’ worst in 30 years, and it’s also spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma and Mexico. Authorities have also documented measles cases in five additional U.S. states along with Canada, although those cases haven’t yet been tied back to the Lone Star State surge.
More than 800 measles cases have been confirmed nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control reports. The current pace of infections suggests this year’s total will be the highest number since measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
Measles is highly contagious, and it can result in complications including pneumonia, meningitis, hearing loss and death. The best way to prevent infection is to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, according to medical experts.
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This article appears in Apr 16-29, 2025.
