Overview

• Texas ended the outbreak on Aug. 18 after more than 760 cases statewide and two child deaths were confirmed by health officials.
• The surge began in a low‑vaccination Mennonite community in Gaines County, where mobile clinics ultimately vaccinated more than 300 people.
• Nearly 100 Texans—mostly children—were hospitalized for complications, and the two children who died were unvaccinated and had no underlying conditions, according to officials.
• Early containment was hindered by week‑long test turnarounds that improved to next‑day results about six weeks in, while wastewater monitoring was only added midway through the response.
• Local leaders reported limited early support and curtailed communication from the CDC following an HHS communications halt, as federal messaging that promoted vitamin A drew criticism and was followed by reports of toxicity in children.