Texas Confirms First Measles Mortality of 2025

Over the initial weeks of 2025, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has been reporting on an ongoing outbreak. Today, DSHS confirmed a school-aged child, an unvaccinated hospitalized patient in Lubbock, Texas, has died from measles.

As of February 26, 2025, DSHS stated eighteen additional measles patients were hospitalized throughout the outbreak.

Texas has reported 126 measles cases this year: two in Harris County, 80 in Gaines County, and 21 in Terry County, Dawson, Yokaum, Ecktor, Lynn, and San Marcus Counties.

The Dallam-Hartley Counties Hospital District in north Texas recently said several measles cases have been confirmed. 

Additionally, measles exposures have been reported adjacent to Texas universities in 2025.

"As a healthcare professional, it is with a heavy heart that I address the recent measles outbreak in Texas, which has now claimed the life of a school-age child. This is the first measles-related death in the United States since 2015 and the first measles cases in Texas since 2023," V. Yvette Cheeks MSN, RN, NPE-C, informed Vax-Before-Travel News.

"We urge parents and guardians to vaccinate their children according to the recommended immunization schedule. If you or your child have not been vaccinated, be sure to get in touch with your healthcare provider immediately to discuss your options," added Cheeks, owner of the Immunization Clinic in 
Missouri City, TX.

Although the data is delayed, the U.S. CDC has reported 93 measles cases in eight jurisdictions this year.

The CDC and DSHS strongly recommend most people speak with their healthcare provider about getting the MMR vaccine.

This CDC recommendation was recently highlighted in the Level 1 Global Measles Outbreak advisory that highlighted 57 counties reporting measles cases.