Texas records first death in its fast-expanding measles outbreak

A child infected during Texas’ measles outbreak has died, marking the first fatality since the highly infectious disease began spreading roughly a month ago, state health officials said.

The school-aged child wasn’t vaccinated, according to a statement from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The Associated Press reports the patient died overnight in a Lubbock hospital.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told the AP the death is the nation’s first measles fatality since 2015.

“Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness, which can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus,” DSHS officials said in their statement. “During a measles outbreak, about one in five people who get sick will need hospital care and one in 20 will develop pneumonia.”

The Texas measles outbreak, considered the state’s worst 30 years, has now grown to 124 cases. An additional nine cases have been reported across the border in New Mexico.

While the first cases were reported in Gaines County northwest of Midland, health officials this week warned that people in San Antonio, New Braunfels and San Marcos also could be exposed after a visitor with measles went to sites in all three cities. 

The overwhelming majority of those infected in the Lone Star State’s outbreak are unvaccinated or have unclear vaccination status, according to DSHS. Gaines county has the highest unvaccinated rate in the state at 18% for the current school year, according to Texas Public Radio.

Outbreaks of measles — a disease health officials declared dead in the U.S. two decades ago — have grown in frequency as social media and right-wing political figures have sown distrust in vaccines.

Subscribe to SA Current newsletters.

Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter| Or sign up for our RSS Feed

Related Stories

Texas measles outbreak jumps to 124 cases as San Antonio health officials issue exposure warning

Warnings have also gone out to residents of San Marcos and New Braunfels due to visits from an infected person.

Potential measles exposure reported in San Antonio amid growing Texas outbreak

A Gaines County resident who tested positive for the disease visited UTSA, River Walk attractions on Feb. 15.

West Texas measles cases rise to 90

Dawson and Ector counties have reported their first cases as the outbreak area grows to seven counties.

Low vaccination rates could put some San Antonio schools at increased risk for measles outbreaks

State records show 12 local private and charter schools have vaccination rates that could put them at risk for outbreaks.

San Antonio charter school reports case of rubella, which is contagious but not same as measles

Legacy Traditional School-Cibolo maintains that a student tested positive for rubella. The state said it’s not aware of any cases here.

Measles outbreak prompts Mexico to issue travel warning for Texas

On Monday, Texas health officials said 158 cases have been confirmed in the state.

Texas officials still don’t know how West Texas measles outbreak started

Texas’ health commissioner fielded questions from state lawmakers about the outbreak and vaccine risks.

Assclown Alert: Cowering before the anti-vaccine crowd with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott

The governor has said next to nothing about the state’s worsening measles outbreak and still hasn’t urged anyone to get jabbed to slow the spread.

This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2025.