Measles outbreaks have been escalating in West Texas and New Mexico, with the number of cases now surpassing 250. Tragically, two individuals who were unvaccinated have died owing to complications related to measles. The disease, which is caused by an extremely contagious virus, is transmitted through the air when someone infected breathes, sneezes, or coughs. Fortunately, vaccination can prevent measles, which was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
In Texas, health authorities recently reported 25 new cases since the previous week’s end, raising the current total to 223 cases. Additionally, 29 people in the state are hospitalized due to the virus. Meanwhile, New Mexico officials revealed there are 30 cases in Lea County, which is adjacent to the Texas communities that have been hit hardest by this outbreak. The death toll includes a school-aged child in Texas and, just last week, New Mexico faced its first fatality in an adult linked to measles.
Beyond Texas and New Mexico, measles outbreaks have surfaced in other areas of the U.S., such as Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorizes an outbreak as comprising three or more interconnected cases, and in 2025, there have been three such clusters. The origin of these cases in the U.S. typically traces back to someone who contracted the disease internationally, and the virus spreads swiftly in communities with low vaccination rates.
Experts advise that the most effective means of preventing measles is through the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination. It is recommended that children receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and the second dose between ages 4 and 6. For those at elevated risk for infection who were vaccinated many years earlier, especially in outbreak regions, a booster shot might be prudent, as suggested by the Global Virus Network’s Scott Weaver. This also applies to family members residing with someone affected by measles or individuals who are highly susceptible due to respiratory issues stemming from underlying medical conditions.
Generally, adults possessing “presumptive evidence of immunity” do not need another measles vaccine, as per the CDC’s guidelines. This includes documentation of proper vaccination in earlier years, laboratory verification of previous infection, or being born before 1957 when most people were likely exposed to the virus naturally. While an MMR titer test can determine measles antibody levels, health professionals do not always recommend this approach, and insurance coverage may vary. The CDC contends that taking an additional MMR shot is safe if diminishing immunity is a concern. Individuals inoculated with a live measles vaccine in the 1960s typically don’t require revaccination. However, those immunized pre-1968 with a less effective “killed” virus vaccine should receive at least one more dose. This also pertains to individuals unaware of which vaccine type they previously had.
Symptoms associated with measles usually begin with an infection of the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body. These symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash. The rash typically emerges three to five days after initial symptoms and starts as flat red spots on the face, eventually spreading to the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet. When the rash develops, the fever might exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit, as per CDC information.
Although there’s no specific treatment for measles, doctors aim to relieve symptoms, prevent further complications, and ensure patient comfort during infection.
High vaccination rates are crucial in communities, as they contribute to “herd immunity,” limiting a disease’s ability to propagate. However, the rates of childhood immunizations have fallen across the nation since the pandemic, partly due to increased parental claims of religious or personal waivers exempting their children from mandated vaccinations. In 2024, the U.S. witnessed a surge in measles cases, including an outbreak in Chicago affecting over 60 people. In 2019, the country faced its most significant spike in cases in nearly three decades.
