A rapidly expanding measles outbreak that began in Gaines County, Texas earlier this year has now spread to multiple states, claiming two lives and infecting hundreds of individuals, predominantly children. Public health officials are warning that the highly contagious disease could continue spreading for months to come.
As of March 19, 2025, a total of 321 measles cases have been reported across the multi-state outbreak. Texas has reported 279 cases, including at least 208 children and 52 adults, with 36 patients requiring hospitalization. New Mexico has documented 38 cases, affecting 17 children and 20 adults, with two hospitalizations. Oklahoma has reported four cases, all with exposure linked to the Texas and New Mexico outbreak.
In a concerning development, Kansas has seen its case count double to 23 in less than a week, spreading across six counties in the southwestern region of the state. Meanwhile, Ohio is reporting that a single measles case in Ashtabula County has now infected nine additional individuals, with potential exposures in several other counties.
Fatalities Highlight Severity of Outbreak
The outbreak has resulted in at least one confirmed death - an unvaccinated school-aged child in Texas with no underlying health conditions. Health officials in New Mexico are investigating the death of another unvaccinated individual who tested positive for measles to determine if the disease was the cause of death.
These fatalities underscore the potentially severe consequences of measles, which many had considered a disease of the past due to widespread vaccination programs.
Low Vaccination Rates Fueling Spread
Public health data reveals that the majority of cases have occurred in unvaccinated individuals or those whose vaccination status is unknown. However, six breakthrough cases have been reported in people who received at least one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine - two in Texas and four in New Mexico.
Several counties experiencing outbreaks have vaccination rates well below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. In Kansas, Morton County reports 82% vaccination coverage, Stevens County 83%, Haskell County just 58%, and Gray County 66%. Ohio reports a statewide kindergarten measles vaccination rate of 89% for the 2023-2024 school year.
"This is going to be a large outbreak, and we are still on the side where we are increasing the number of cases. I'm really thinking this is going to be a year long," warned Katherine Wells, director of Lubbock Public Health, during a recent briefing. "I just think, it being so rural now, multistate, it's just going to take a lot more boots on the ground, a lot more work to get things under control. It's not an isolated population."
Public Health Response
Health departments across affected states are implementing emergency measures to contain the spread. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a high alert to physicians, recommending early measles vaccination for infants aged 6 to 11 months who live in or near outbreak counties.
"This disease can be very serious, even deadly, but it is almost entirely avoidable by being properly vaccinated," emphasized Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, in a public statement.
The current outbreak has already exceeded the total number of measles cases reported in the United States for the entire year of 2024, highlighting the unusual severity of the situation.
Measles: A Highly Contagious Disease
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, capable of spreading through airborne particles that can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. A single infected individual can transmit the virus to 12-18 unvaccinated people.
Initial symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by the characteristic rash that typically begins on the face and spreads downward. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and in rare cases, death.
The MMR vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles, with two doses providing approximately 97% protection. Public health officials continue to emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective strategy for preventing further spread of the disease and protecting vulnerable populations.
As the outbreak continues to evolve, health authorities are urging vigilance, especially in communities with low vaccination rates, and recommending that individuals ensure they are up to date on their MMR vaccinations.
