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Measles Outbreak in Texas Grows to 321 Cases, Spreads to Two Neighboring States

Low vaccination rates and misinformation are fueling the spread of a highly contagious virus, with two deaths confirmed and public health efforts ongoing.

MMR vaccine administer prep is pictured during a drive at the City of Lubbock Health Department in Lubbock, Texas, on February 27.
Two screenshots from the viral video showing the woman speak about what happened during an outbreak when she was six-years-old.
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Overview

  • The ongoing measles outbreak, originating in West Texas, has expanded to New Mexico and Oklahoma, with 321 cases confirmed as of March 18, 2025.
  • Two deaths have been reported: an unvaccinated six-year-old in Texas and a suspected case involving an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
  • The outbreak is linked to low vaccination rates in a Mennonite community in West Texas, where misinformation on social media has influenced vaccine hesitancy.
  • Measles is highly contagious, with an R0 of 12–18, and requires a 95% vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity, which is not currently met in affected areas.
  • Public health officials are conducting vaccination campaigns and addressing misinformation, but challenges persist, including mixed support from some officials like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.