Measles Outbreak in Texas Shows Signs of Slowing

The recent measles outbreak in Texas appears to be losing momentum. However, health officials urge caution as cases continue to rise in other states, highlighting ongoing concerns about vaccination rates across the country.

In Lubbock, Texas, there have been no new positive tests for several days, and notably, the local children’s hospital hasn’t reported any measles-related hospitalizations. Katherine Wells, the director of Lubbock Public Health, expressed a sense of cautious optimism. Still, she pointed out that the community isn’t entirely in the clear until 42 days pass without fresh cases.

Wastewater testing results have shown a potential decrease in infections in El Paso and Lubbock, according to Anthony Maresso, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine. Yet, both Wells and Maresso caution against reducing vigilance in combating this serious disease.

“We’re still observing measles cases in El Paso and various states in the Central U.S.,” Wells remarked. “One infectious person can easily bring the virus to another community.”

As of Friday, Texas reported six new cases, bringing the total to 728 for the year. The outbreak has also seen 94 hospitalizations, and tragically, two school-aged children have died.

The outbreak, starting in West Texas, has extended to adjacent states. New Mexico officials recently confirmed that their measles case count has reached 76, including one adult death attributed to the virus. Kansas and Oklahoma have also reported 58 and 17 cases, respectively, alongside other separate outbreaks occurring elsewhere.

This year has already recorded 1,024 measles cases across the U.S., marking 2025 as the second-worst year since the disease was eliminated in 2000.

The decline in cases in West Texas may be linked to effective vaccination efforts, as well as the fact that many unvaccinated individuals have already contracted the illness. Notably, while children have been the majority of cases, around two-thirds of those in El Paso are adults. Health officials recommend boosters for anyone unsure of their vaccination status.

On a concerning note, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has been spreading misinformation about the measles vaccine. During a recent hearing, Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy confronted Kennedy about his claims, asserting that they undermine public confidence in vaccinations at a critical moment.

Wells and Maresso emphasize the need for vaccination campaigns in communities that have fallen below the necessary 95% immunity threshold to effectively prevent outbreaks. “The simplest approach is to run an outreach campaign aimed at improving vaccination rates,” Maresso explained. “If we had coverage above 95%, we wouldn’t see these outbreaks.”

With summer approaching—often a busy travel season—Wells cautioned that travelers could reintroduce measles into at-risk communities, making it vital to maintain high vaccination rates.

Monitoring wastewater can provide an early warning for potential outbreaks, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates. Maresso noted that Texas wastewater monitoring received funding from the state legislature during the pandemic, likening it to a local version of the CDC.

“Our wastewater analysis detected signals for measles before the outbreak discussions began in Texas or even made headlines internationally,” Maresso shared.

As local communities prepare for potential outbreaks, Wells advised that education for physicians, schools, and daycares about measles symptoms is crucial. Understanding local testing capabilities for monitoring should also be a priority.

However, adequate funding is essential for these initiatives. Wells expressed concern, particularly as the Trump administration has complicated public health funding further, emphasizing the importance of having responsive local health departments in the face of outbreaks like measles.