The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is seeing a rise in measles cases. The CDC continues to track measles cases and outbreaks, posting updates every Friday.
On Feb. 20, 2025, a total of 93 measles cases were reported by 8 states. This includes Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island and Texas.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness. Signs and symptoms of measles appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus. According to the CDC, common symptoms include a high fever of more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and a rash.
The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. Since late January, ninety cases have been identified, with 16 hospitalizations. Five of these cases had been vaccinated, while the vaccination status of the others is either unvaccinated or unknown.
The confirmed Texas case count by county shows six cases in Dawson, one in Ector, Lubbock and Lynn, 57 in Gaines, 20 in Terry, and four in Yoakum. The common age range affected includes individuals between five and 17 years old, with 51 confirmed cases.
On Feb. 24, 2025 the Texas Department of State Health Services issued a health alert with recent measles exposures in Central and South-Central Texas.
A person from the outbreak area who was later diagnosed with measles visited locations in the San Marcos and San Antonio areas the weekend of Feb. 14 to 16. Locations included Texas State University, Twin Peaks, University of Texas at San Antonio Main Campus, Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Ripley’s Illusion Lab, Mr. Crabby’s Seafood and Buc-ee’s.
The Texas Department of State Health Services posts updates every Tuesday and Friday if there are new cases to report.
The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles, two doses are highly effective at preventing measles according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Contact your healthcare provider to get vaccinated or visit the South Plains Public Health District Clinic at 704 Hobbs Highway in Seminole to get vaccinated.