The outbreak of measles in western Texas continues with confirmation of 20 additional cases, according to the new state data published on Tuesday, a total of 279 cases have been brought.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), almost all cases are in individuals or individuals whose vaccination is unknown. Just two cases are completely vaccinated individuals. The state said that at least 36 people have been admitted to the hospital so far.
In the outbreak of Texas, children and teenagers aged 5 to 17 showed most cases at 120, followed by 4 years of age and under 88 cases, DSHS data.
DSHS said in its update, “Due to the highly infectious nature of the disease, the outbreak is likely to occur in the area and the surrounding communities in additional cases.”
The number of measles cases in Texas is close to the confirmed number confirmed in the US for the perfection of the previous year, with 285 cases seen nationwide, according to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Center
This year, two possible measles deaths have been reported in the US so far. According to DSHS, the first reported death was in Texas. According to the department, the child did not have any underlying underlying condition.
According to CDC data, death was the first American measles death recorded in a decade.
A member of the medical staff manages a dose of measles vaccine to a child at a health center in Lubock, Texas on February 27, 2025.
Ronaldo Schimidt/AFP Getty Image, through File
A possible second measles death was recorded when a resident of New Mexico conducted a positive test for the virus after his death. The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) said that the official cause of death is still under investigation.
According to NMDOH, New Mexico has reported a total of 33 measles cases so far this year. Many cases have been confirmed in Lee County, which is the border of western Texas.
Health officials suspect that there may be a connection between cases in Texas and New Mexico, but a link has not been confirmed yet.
The CDC has so far confirmed 301 measles cases in at least 14 states, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentki, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Road Island, Texas, Vermont and Washington, published on Friday.
The CDC said that the national level confirmed cases are among people who are unnatural or whose vaccination situation is unknown. In those cases, 3% are among those who received only one dose of MMR (measles, kanthamala and rubella) inoculation and 2% are among those who have received two doses required according to CDC.
The CDC recommends that people receive two doses of MMR vaccine, the first at the age of 12 to 15 months and the second dose between 4 and 6 years of age.
CDC states that one dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective. According to the health agency, most vaccination adults do not require boosters.
In front of the rising measles outbreak, the federal health agency issued an alert on March 7 stating that parents in the outbreak area should consider receiving the initial third dosage of MMR vaccine to their children. Texas health officials have also recommended early vaccinations for infants living in outbreak areas.
ABC News’ Youri Benadjaoud and Sony Salzman contributed to this report.
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