The majority of cases involve unvaccinated individuals, with 18 requiring hospitalization. Health officials are urging vaccinations and have set up vaccine clinics to control the spread, especially as spring break approaches. The outbreak has raised concerns over potential further transmission across the region.
First death in West Texas measles outbreak is unvaccinated child
“First death in West Texas measles outbreak is unvaccinated child” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
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LUBBOCK — A school-aged child has died in Lubbock from measles, the first death reported in an ongoing outbreak that has infected more than 120 people in West Texas since January, Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed on Wednesday.
According to state officials, the child, who was unvaccinated, was hospitalized in Lubbock last week. It is not clear whether the child lived in Lubbock or where the child was infected with the measles. The Associated Press first reported the death on Wednesday.
The last time a person died of measles in Texas was in 2018 when a 10-year-old living in North Texas died, according to Lara Anton, spokesperson with the Texas Department of State Health Services. That death was not connected with an outbreak and it was not known if the case was connected to international travel at the time.
[West Texas measles cases rise to 124. Here is what you need to know.]
What we know about the West Texas outbreak
This measles outbreak is the largest in the state in 30 years. The first cases were reported in late January in Gaines County. Since then, the outbreak has spread to nine other counties in West Texas and the Panhandle. As of Tuesday, the state health department has reported 124 confirmed cases of measles, the vast majority of them in Gaines County where a large unvaccinated Mennonite community resides. The agency is working with local health departments to investigate cases and provide immunizations where needed.
The majority of these most recent cases are people who were not vaccinated against measles. According to state health officials, 18 of the patients with measles have been hospitalized as of Tuesday.
Officials also issued a public health alert Monday, after someone with the measles traveled to San Marcos, New Braunfels and San Antonio before knowing they were infected. The state health department outlined several locations the infected person went from Feb. 14 through Feb. 16.
State and local measles response
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through respiratory droplets passed through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. The virus can live in the air for up to two hours, and symptoms can begin anywhere from seven to 21 days after an exposure. According to the state health department, children under the age of 5, especially those under the age of 12 months, pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk.
The Lubbock Health Department has hosted vaccine clinics several times this week. It is open to people who have not received the two recommended doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles. Katherine Wells, director for the city health department, said there is a potential for the virus to spread more as spring break approaches.
“The more cases we see, the more potential there is for spread,” Wells said. “People who are exposed and have been told they are exposed by public health need to stay home.”
Wells said if people get vaccinated this week, it would be fully effective in two weeks. During the vaccine clinics over the weekend, Wells said they gave between 100-150 additional measles-mumps-rubella-varicella, or MMRV vaccination, than they normally would.
A spokesman for Gov. Greg. Abbott said the governor’s office is in regular communication with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) regarding the outbreak.
“DSHS has deployed epidemiologists, immunization teams and specimen collection teams to affected areas,” said Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott’s spokesman. “The state will deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safety and health of Texans.”
During a cabinet meeting in Washington, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy said his agency is also monitoring the Texas outbreak. Although he said there were two deaths in Texas, state officials have only confirmed one death.
“We are following the measles epidemic everyday. I think there’s 124 people who have contracted measles at this point,” he said. “We’re going to continue to follow it.”
He also cited four measles outbreaks in the country so far this year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website reports three) and 16 outbreaks last year, adding “so it’s not unusual.”
“We have measles outbreaks every year,” he said.
Nearby counties on alert
About an hour south of Gaines County, Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett said he and his wife are concerned about measles because they have an 8-month-old son who is below the recommended age to receive the MMRV vaccination. Two cases of measles have been reported in Ector County, according to the state. One case was an infant under a year old who was hospitalized.
“It’s the young children I’m most concerned about,” Fawcett said. “I’m concerned about our daycares and our elementary schools.”
If Ector County identifies three measles cases from separate households, the state health department could allow the county to deliver vaccines to individuals younger than a year old.
Following the news that one Texan had died of measles, Fawcett urged his constituents to stay informed and not to panic.
“This is not code red, we don’t need people running out getting tested,” Fawcett said. “If people have concerns, call a doctor.”
Measles is highly contagious, so Fawcett said parents should not rush the doctor’s office if their child experiences symptoms.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/26/texas-measles-death/.
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