Will Texas's Measles Outbreak Spread to Other States

Health agencies continue to report a spike in measles cases during the initial two months of 2025.

Today, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued an updated report on an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of western Texas. As of February 28, 2025, 146 cases have been identified since late January. 

In eastern Texas, Harris County reported two measles patients related to international travel in 2025.

About 50% of these cases have an unknown vaccination status, as the investigation is ongoing. DSHS is investigating whether these cases received a measles vaccination after exposure.

As of March 1, 2025, DSHS has not reported any measles cases at Texas universities in Austin, San Antonio, or San Marcos.

DSHS wrote that due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities.

In total, 164 measles cases were reported by nine U.S. jurisdictions this year.

The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Measles vaccines are offered at public health facilities, pharmacies, and travel clinics in the United States.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads to others through coughing and sneezing.

"Another option for healthcare professionals, as well as students and others at high risk for measles infection, is to have a tighter draw. This is a blood test for measles and costs less than $50 to know your status," V. Yvette Cheeks MSN, RN, NPE-C informed Vax-Before-Travel News.

"It is a quantitative test and tells you how immune you are," added Cheeks, the owner of The Immunization Clinic based in Missouri City, TX.

Over the last five years, measles outbreaks have been reported in 103 countries. 

As of February 21, 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) republished a global Watch-Level 1 Travel Health Notice,  identifying measles outbreaks in 57 countries.

However, the CDC did not include Texas in this notice.

Both the Texas DSHS and CDC recommend that anyone concerned about measles exposure speak with a healthcare professional as soon as possible!