US. Officials report decline in measles outbreak in Texas

The measles outbreak that began in West Texas earlier this year appears to be showing signs of slowing down, according to the reports of the Texas Department of State Health Services, on Friday, June 6, 2025.

For the first time since the outbreak was first reported in January, the latest update showed no new cases, keeping the total number of confirmed cases at 742.

This number has been updated biweekly by state officials, reflecting a possible decline in the spread of the disease.

Dr. Jennifer Shuford, the commissioner of the state health services department, spoke to the Texas Standard, expressing cautious optimism about the situation.

She stated, “Thankfully, this large outbreak that we’ve been tracking in West Texas does seem to be on the decline,” but also warned that the outbreak is not over.

“It just takes one person to get into an under-vaccinated community to cause another outbreak,” she cautioned, highlighting the importance of continued vigilance.

Although measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, it has re-emerged in recent years.

According to reports, this is largely due to low vaccination rates in certain communities.

Texas’s ongoing outbreak has primarily affected the western part of the state, although sporadic cases have been reported in other areas.

Some of these cases have been linked to international travel, while others are still being investigated due to unclear origins.

A significant proportion of the cases have been reported in Gaines County, home to a Mennonite community that has historically had low rates of childhood vaccinations.

Tragically, two children from the affected region, both unvaccinated and without any known pre-existing conditions, have died as a result of the disease.

The first of these deaths marked the first measles-related fatality in the U.S. since 2015.

The latest figures from the Texas Department of State Health Services reveal that fewer than 10 of the confirmed cases are currently considered infectious.

This designation is given to individuals who are contagious, defined as those within four days before or after the appearance of a measles rash.

Since the outbreak began in January, 94 people have been hospitalized due to the disease.

The state health agency has identified seven counties where measles transmission is still ongoing: Cochran, Dawson, Gaines, Lamar, Lubbock, Terry, and Yoakum.

The department continues to collaborate closely with local health officials in these areas to monitor the situation and prevent further spread of the disease.

Despite the apparent decline in new cases, Dr. Shuford acknowledged that one of the department’s ongoing challenges is encouraging people to get vaccinated.

She explained that, “We are really trying to strengthen our messaging at all times so that we already have a relationship with different communities.”

She emphasized the importance of vaccines in maintaining public health.

Dr. Shufford added that “vaccines are just such an instrumental way for us to maintain a healthy society that can be productive.”

Texas has been grappling with low vaccination rates in certain communities, and public health officials are working to raise awareness and encourage vaccination.

The outbreak has brought renewed attention to the risks associated with vaccine hesitancy and the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to prevent preventable diseases like measles.

Although the outbreak may be subsiding, Dr. Shuford’s warning underscores the ongoing risks posed by under-vaccinated communities.

As long as there are pockets of unvaccinated individuals, the possibility of new outbreaks remains a concern.

Measles is a highly contagious disease, and even a small number of unvaccinated individuals can quickly spread it through a community.

The outbreak in Texas serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination in protecting not only individuals but also the broader public health.

The Texas health department continues to monitor the situation closely and is working to strengthen vaccination efforts across the state.

In addition to the ongoing efforts to encourage vaccination, officials are also taking steps to ensure that local health systems are prepared to respond quickly to any future outbreaks.

By improving public health messaging and increasing vaccination rates, the state hopes to prevent further outbreaks.

It also plans to ensure that such a widespread measles crisis does not happen again in the future.

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