Measles Cases in Texas Town; Not seen in 20 Years

January 31, 2025 – In January 2025, Texas reported at least four confirmed measles cases within a two-week span, marking the state’s first occurrences of the disease since 2023. Notably, two of these cases involved school-aged children, underscoring concerns about the vulnerability of younger populations. In Lubbock, two cases were identified, representing the first instances of measles in that community in over two decades.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness transmitted through direct contact with infectious droplets or airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a characteristic rash that starts on the face and spreads downward. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis, and, in severe cases, death.

Health officials emphasize the importance of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in preventing outbreaks. The CDC recommends that children receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age and a second dose at 4 to 6 years. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are approximately 97% effective at preventing measles. Unvaccinated individuals are at a significantly higher risk of contracting the disease and experiencing severe complications.

The recent cases in Texas highlight the critical need for maintaining high vaccination rates to protect public health. Health authorities urge individuals to ensure they and their children are up to date with vaccinations to prevent further spread of this preventable disease.