Overview

• Texas ended the outbreak on Aug. 18 after more than 760 infections statewide, nearly 100 hospitalizations mostly among children, and two deaths of unvaccinated children.
• The surge began in a low‑vaccination Mennonite community in Gaines County, where mobile clinics and outreach led to more than 300 vaccinations during the response.
• Local officials report early requests for CDC help went largely unanswered as an HHS pause on public communications constrained federal engagement, with CDC staff and funding arriving later in the spring.
• Testing initially took up to a week for results, then improved to next‑day turnaround about six weeks in, and wastewater surveillance was added mid‑outbreak, which experts say should start earlier in future events.
• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. downplayed measles risk as federal messaging emphasized vitamin A as supportive care, and clinicians reported several cases of vitamin A toxicity in children.