Measles Surges in Texas and New Mexico, Approaching 300 Cases: Key Details

The measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico have grown to almost 300 cases, and regrettably, two unvaccinated individuals have died due to complications from the measles.

Measles stems from a highly infectious airborne virus, easily transmissible through breathing, sneezing, or coughing by an infected person. Vaccination can prevent it, leading to its elimination in the U.S. since 2000.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Friday that the number of confirmed measles cases in the U.S. has exceeded that of 2024. Here’s what you should know about measles in the U.S.

How many measles cases are there in Texas and New Mexico?

Texas health officials reported 36 new cases of measles since the prior Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 259 on Friday. Hospitalizations increased by five, reaching a total of 34. The outbreak has now reached two additional counties: Cochran in West Texas, reporting six cases, and Lamar in Northeast Texas, with four cases.

New Mexico health authorities announced two new cases on Friday, raising the state’s total to 35. The majority of these cases are concentrated in Lea County, where two individuals are hospitalized, while Eddy County reports two cases.

Oklahoma’s state health department communicated two probable cases of measles on Tuesday, linking them to the outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico.

In Texas, a school-aged child succumbed to measles last month, and New Mexico recorded its first death related to measles in an adult during the previous week.

Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?

Confirmed measles cases have surfaced in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or more related cases — and in 2025, three clusters met the criteria for outbreaks.

Within the U.S., cases and outbreaks are typically linked to individuals who contracted the illness while abroad. This can then proliferate, particularly in communities characterized by low vaccination coverage. In 2019, the U.S. documented 1,274 cases, nearly losing its measles-eliminated status.

Do you need an MMR booster?

The most effective strategy to prevent measles is through vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. It’s recommended that children receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age, followed by a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age.

Individuals at elevated risk of infection who received the shots many years prior might consider a booster, particularly if residing in an outbreak area, according to Scott Weaver of the Global Virus Network. This includes family members cohabitating with someone infected with measles or those with underlying medical conditions, making them vulnerable to respiratory ailments.

The CDC indicates that adults with “presumptive evidence of immunity” generally do not require measles vaccinations at this time. The criteria involve written documentation of adequate vaccination earlier in life, lab confirmation of past infection, or being born before 1957, when most individuals were likely naturally infected.

A doctor can request an MMR titer, a lab test, to assess your levels of measles antibodies, but health experts don’t always advise this approach, and insurance coverage can differ.

According to the CDC, getting another MMR shot presents no harm if there are concerns about declining immunity.

Individuals with documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s do not need revaccination. However, those immunized before 1968 with an ineffective “killed” virus measles vaccine should receive at least one dose of vaccine. This includes individuals uncertain about the type of vaccine they received.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles initially infects the respiratory system before spreading throughout the body, triggering a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash.

The rash typically manifests three to five days after initial symptoms, starting as flat red spots on the face before spreading down to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. The CDC notes that fever can exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit when the rash appears.

Although most children recover from measles, infection can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and death.

How can you treat measles?

There’s no specific treatment for measles. Doctors typically focus on alleviating symptoms, averting complications, and maintaining patient comfort.

Why do vaccination rates matter?

In communities that maintain high vaccination rates—above 95%—diseases like measles struggle to spread easily. This concept is known as “herd immunity.”

Unfortunately, childhood vaccination rates have decreased nationwide since the pandemic, and increasing numbers of parents are seeking religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their children from mandatory vaccinations.

The U.S. experienced a surge in measles cases in 2024, including an outbreak in Chicago that affected more than 60 people.

—AP Science Writer Laura Ungar contributed to this report.