Texas health officials announced Monday that the state’s measles outbreak — one of the largest and deadliest in decades — has officially ended.
No new cases have been identified in counties previously affected for more than 42 consecutive days, meeting the benchmark for declaring the outbreak over. That timeframe covers two full incubation periods for measles, meaning the virus is no longer actively spreading.
Since the outbreak began in late January, Texas has recorded at least 762 confirmed cases, including nearly 100 hospitalizations. More than two-thirds of the cases occurred in children. Two school-aged children died — marking the first measles-related deaths in the United States since 2015.
“This milestone reflects the tireless efforts of public health professionals across Texas,” said Dr. Jennifer Shuford, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. “Through testing, vaccination, surveillance, and public education campaigns, we were able to contain one of the most contagious viruses. I also want to commend the health care providers who treated measles cases, many of whom had never encountered the disease in their careers before this outbreak.”
Regional and National Spread
Though Texas has declared its outbreak over, the virus has spread beyond the state’s borders. Linked cases have been reported in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and possibly Kansas. New Mexico, which has recorded 100 cases this year and one death, still considers its outbreak ongoing.
“Our agency sees this outbreak as part of a larger regional crisis,” a spokesperson for the New Mexico health department said in a statement. “We continue to urge residents to get vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to protect themselves.”
Nationwide, more than 1,350 measles cases have been reported in 2025 — the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. Cases tied to Texas account for more than half of this year’s total.
Vaccination Rates Under Scrutiny
The epicenter of Texas’ outbreak was Gaines County, where kindergarten vaccination rates rank among the lowest in the state. Across Texas and the nation, most infections occurred in unvaccinated individuals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 8% of this year’s cases occurred in people with at least one documented MMR dose.
Health officials warn that the end of Texas’ outbreak does not eliminate the risk of future spread.
“Given the ongoing outbreaks elsewhere in North America and globally, we anticipate additional measles cases in Texas this year,” the state’s health department said. “Providers should remain vigilant and test for measles when patients present with compatible symptoms.”
A Broader National Challenge
At least 41 states have reported measles cases in 2025. Meanwhile, CDC data shows vaccination coverage among kindergartners declined again for the 2024–25 school year, with record numbers of families obtaining exemptions, often for personal or religious reasons.
Public health experts emphasize that high vaccination coverage remains the most effective defense against measles, which is among the most contagious viruses known.
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