The measles outbreak in West Texas is still ongoing and cases are mainly in unvaccinated children. Vaccination against measles is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.
This information is correct as of Feb 28, 2025.
Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It is a vaccine-preventable childhood disease. There is currently an outbreak in the US.
Here is the latest information on this outbreak.
⏰ The current outbreak began in West Texas in late January but is spreading, with cases also reported in Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Washington. (source CDC)
😷 There have been 164 confirmed cases, mostly in children (81% under 19) so far in 2025, and most are in those who are unvaccinated (95%) or have only received one dose of vaccine (3%). In comparison, in 2024 there were a total of 285 cases. With new exposures recently reported in populated areas, the number of cases will likely continue to rise.
🏥 32 of the 164 (20%) people with measles have been hospitalized since late January. This follows the historical hospitalization rate of 1 in 5 people.
⚰️ One death in an unvaccinated child was reported on Feb 25. This is the first death from measles in the US in 10 years. On average, 1-3 out of 1000 people who contract measles die.
Why is this outbreak happening?
🦠 Measles is one of the, if not the, most infectious diseases we know. One infected person sitting in a room with 10 unvaccinated individuals will infect 9 of them. Therefore, outbreaks spread quickly in unvaccinated groups.
💦 The measles virus spreads through very small respiratory droplets that remain suspended in the air for a long time.
🦠 The measles virus can remain infectious on surfaces and can therefore be spread by touching a contaminated surface.
🦠 People exposed to measles are infectious 4 days before they show symptoms, which provides a significant amount of time to spread the disease before they know they are sick.
💉 Because measles is such a contagious disease, a high vaccination rate is required to stop the spread of infection. The “Community Immunity Threshold” for measles is 92-94%. This means that 92 to 94 out of 100 people need to be immune (either through vaccination or previous infection) to limit the spread of measles.
⬇️ Routine childhood vaccination rates are declining, which is resulting in more unprotected people.
It is important to know that measles was declared eliminated from the US in 2000. This means that new cases occur when people are exposed to the measles virus outside of the US, become infected, and then infect others once they return. Measles remains a significant problem around the world, with up to 10 million people per year becoming infected (WHO data for 2023).
What are the symptoms of measles?
‼️ It is important to note that symptoms do not appear until 10-14 days after exposure to the virus. ‼️
Common symptoms include
- Rash (red spots that are raised in the middle and often start from the head and move downwards across the rest of the body)
- Spots with white centers on the inside of the cheeks (Koplik’s spots)
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red watery eyes
- Lack of appetite and diarrhea
Is measles dangerous?
Yes. Measles infections are associated with both early and late complications.
Complications can be particularly dangerous for young children and include:
- Ear infections
- Blindness
- Brain swelling
- Pneumonia
- Death
“Immune amnesia” is another complication in which the body “forgets” how to fight pathogens. Those infected with measles may be susceptible again to other common illnesses to which they previously had immunity. (source) [archived link]
A very rare but deadly complication can occur up to 10 years after the initial infection. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis [archived link] is an inflammation of the brain that eventually results in coma and death.
For pregnant people, a measles infection can pose an extra risk to the pregnant person and the baby. Pregnant people who become infected have an increased risk of hospitalization and severe complications like pneumonia. Exposure to measles in the womb can result in low birth weight, preterm birth, or loss of pregnancy. If you are pregnant and think you were exposed to measles, contact your clinician right away.
How is measles treated?
There are no treatments to eliminate the virus once a person is infected. Supportive care is given to keep the sick person hydrated and comfortable. Additional more aggressive supportive care is provided if a person is hospitalized and in children, severe cases may be treated with Vitamin A in the hospital. However, Vitamin A does not replace vaccination and does not prevent measles.
❌ If you or a family member have symptoms of measles or have had a known exposure and are unvaccinated, call your clinician before going to their office or to the hospital. Going to medical facilities will increase the chance that you infect others, especially those people who are already sick or immunocompromised.
How can I protect myself and my family?
🌟🌟 The good news – The measles vaccine is highly effective and safe. 🌟🌟
Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, nearly everyone had measles by the age of 15, and each year there were 48,000 hospitalizations due to measles, 1000 measles patients had encephalitis (brain swelling), and 400-500 died. Since the introduction of the vaccine, these numbers have dropped. In 2024, there were only 285 cases, 114 hospitalizations, and no deaths.
💉 All children should receive the measles vaccine at 12 months of age.
Infants can receive the vaccine as early as 6 months in the case of an outbreak or if traveling to an area where there is an increased chance of contracting measles. However, if this is the case, they will require a third dose.
The vaccine is given with the mumps, rubella, and sometimes varicella vaccines as the MMR or MMRV vaccine. One dose is around 95% effective. A second dose is given at 4 years of age and has an efficacy of 99%.
🧼 You should also follow standard infectious disease precaution measures such as handwashing, staying home if you feel unwell, reporting exposures if required by your local health agency, and masking if you will be in high-risk areas (crowded places, enclosed spaces, hospitals etc.).
❌ If you or a family member get exposed to measles and you are not vaccinated, you will likely be required to quarantine, meaning you must stay home, for 21 days.
Who should get vaccinated?
💉 Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine (at 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age) – however they can get the second dose as early as 28 days after the first if they are receiving their first dose when they are older.
💉 Unvaccinated post-high school students should get two doses 28 days apart
💉 Adults who are unvaccinated and are unsure if they have had measles should get at least one dose. If you are at higher risk of getting measles you should get two doses 28 days apart (e.g. teachers, healthcare workers). It is not generally recommended to do a titer test to determine if you have immunity to measles unless it is, for example, if it is required for your job.
💉 Adults born after 1957, who were vaccinated between 1963 and 1968, and who did not have measles as a child may not have protective immunity and should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.
⚠️ NOTE – Pregnant people should not get the MMR vaccine until they are no longer pregnant. And if you are planning to get pregnant, avoid pregnancy for at least one month after your MMR vaccine. This is because the MMR vaccine is a live attenuated virus vaccine, which means it contains a weakened form of the virus to create a strong immune response.
⚠️ There are other conditions that might mean you should hold off on getting vaccinated including if you have severe allergies to any of the vaccine components, a weakened immune system (or if you live with someone with a weakened immune system), had a recent blood transfusion, had another vaccination in the last four weeks, or are feeling unwell.
⛑️ If you have been exposed and are not vaccinated, speak to your trusted clinician urgently, as the window for getting protection from the MMR vaccine after you have come into contact with the virus is only 72 hours.
➡️ PLEASE SPEAK TO YOUR TRUSTED CLINICIAN OR VACCINE PROVIDER IF YOU ARE UNSURE IF YOU SHOULD GET A MEASLES VACCINE. ⬅️
Bottom line: Although there is a measles outbreak going on and measles can be a scary and dangerous disease, vaccines are available to prevent this, and it is not too late to get your kids and yourself vaccinated if you aren’t already.
Stay safe. Stay well.
Love,
Those Nerdy Girls
Sources/ Useful reading:
Texas DSHS – Measles Outbreak Feb 28, 2025
New Mexico DSHS – 2025 Measles Guidance
Texas DSHS – Texas announces first death in measles outbreak [archived link]
CDC – Clinical overview [archived link]
CDC – MMR vaccination: what everyone should know [archived link]
CHOP – Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): The Diseases & Vaccines
WHO – History of the measles vaccination
WHO – Measles fact sheet
New reported case in Washington – King County [archived link]
