Empire State Review Team 
The measles outbreak in Texas, which has become one of the most severe in the United States in over two decades, is showing signs of subsiding. However, health officials warn that the threat is far from over as neighboring states report increasing numbers of cases, raising concerns about the potential for further spread.
Texas Sees Decline in New Cases
As of late May 2025, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported a total of 728 confirmed measles cases since the outbreak began in January. This includes a modest increase of six cases in the past week, with fewer than ten currently considered actively infectious. The outbreak has led to 94 hospitalizations and two deaths, both among unvaccinated school-aged children.
The epicenter remains in West Texas, with Gaines County accounting for over half of all cases. Other significantly affected areas include Terry, Lubbock, Cochran, Dawson, Lamar, and Yoakum counties. Encouragingly, cities like Lubbock and El Paso have seen no new cases in recent days. Wastewater analyses further support a downward trend in infection rates, hinting at a potential easing of the outbreak.
Neighboring States Report Rising Cases
While Texas shows signs of improvement, health officials are sounding the alarm over increasing measles activity in adjacent states. New Mexico has documented 78 confirmed cases, with most concentrated in Lea County, which borders Gaines County, Texas. Additional cases have been identified in several other counties, including Sandoval, Eddy, and Doña Ana.
Kansas has experienced a 24% rise in measles cases, climbing to 46 as of late April. Meanwhile, Oklahoma has reported ten confirmed cases, all among unvaccinated individuals. Public health leaders in these states are intensifying efforts to promote vaccination and limit the disease’s spread.
Vaccination Rates and Public Health Challenges
The resurgence of measles in the region is largely driven by declining vaccination rates. In Texas, roughly 95% of infected individuals are either unvaccinated or have an uncertain vaccination status. Health authorities attribute this trend to a proliferation of misinformation about vaccine safety, which has been amplified by certain public figures and social media narratives.
This erosion of public trust has been compounded by chronic underfunding of local health departments. Budget cuts have led to the cancellation of vaccination clinics, layoffs of public health workers, and diminished outreach capabilities. Experts emphasize that keeping vaccination rates above 95% is critical to sustaining herd immunity and preventing future outbreaks.
Public Health Response and Recommendations
In anticipation of increased travel during the summer months, public health officials are urging the public to get vaccinated promptly. They recommend targeted vaccination campaigns, particularly in high-risk communities, and early childhood immunizations in counties with active cases. Some health authorities have also suggested administering three doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine instead of the usual two in particularly vulnerable populations.
Enhanced surveillance strategies, such as wastewater testing, have proven instrumental in tracking and anticipating infection trends. Alongside testing improvements, public education campaigns are essential for addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to monitor the evolving situation and advises all eligible individuals to confirm their vaccination status. With the outbreak’s trajectory uncertain, sustained vigilance and comprehensive public health measures remain vital.
