February 19, 2025
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities.
The Texas Department of State Health Services in an update on their website regarding a recent measles outbreak in West Texas.
Why It Matters: Within the last three weeks, health officials have identified 58 cases of measles in an area of West Texas near the New Mexico border.
- Thirteen of the patients have been hospitalized.
- Four of the total 58 cases are vaccinated; the rest of the patients are unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is not clear.
- Eight people in New Mexico near the West Texas outbreak have also been diagnosed with measles, with officials declaring an outbreak for Lea County.
Measles is highly contagious and can cause a cough, runny nose, high fever and rash. It can be serious in children under five years of age. The CDC recommends the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at age 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years. Those concerned about their measles immunity can consult a doctor and see if doing a blood test is an option. The test looks for antibodies in your blood which indicate the level of immunity you have against measles, mumps and rubella.
Read More: Texas measles cases are up, and New Mexico now has an outbreak (AP)
Measles Cases and Outbreaks (CDC)
Image Credit: janews094 / Adobe Stock
by Kelly Dean, Based in Kentucky.
