Today the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced it had been more than 42 days (double measles' maximum incubation period) since West Texas counties reported a new measles case, bringing an official end to one of the country's largest measles outbreaks in recent decades.
As of today, 762 cases of measles have been confirmed in the outbreak since late January, with more than two thirds of the cases in children. Ninety-nine people (13%) were hospitalized over the course of the outbreak, and there were two fatalities in school-aged children, according to the statement from the DSHS.
I also want to recognize the many health care professionals who identified and treated cases of a virus that most providers had never seen in person before this outbreak.
"I want to highlight the tireless work of the public health professionals across the state who contributed to the containment of one of the most contagious viruses," said DSHS Commissioner Jennifer A. Shuford, MD, MPH. "I also want to recognize the many health care professionals who identified and treated cases of a virus that most providers had never seen in person before this outbreak."
The DSHS said although the outbreak is over, there will likely be more measles cases diagnosed in Texas this year as since there are ongoing measles outbreaks in North America. "The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine," the agency said
The West Texas outbreak, which was initially linked to a Mennonite community, kicked off what has become the worst year for measles activity in the United States since the virus was eliminated in 2000.
In related news, Colorado has confirmed another measles case, this time involving an adult in the Grand Junction area who had not traveled outside the state, suggesting possible local spread. The Mesa County resident was unvaccinated.
The new case raises Colorado's measles case count this year to 20, after recording only 5 illnesses in the previous decade. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment listed several potential exposure sites in Grand Junction.
New Jersey warns of Newark exposure
New Jersey's health department reported a measles infection in a traveler who came through Newark International Airport, and warned that others could have been exposed. The person infected with measles is not a New Jersey resident, and he or she visited Newark Airport on July 29 and July 30.
State officials have confirmed six measles cases so far in 2025. In 2024, seven cases were reported.
Finally, today in international news, in its ongoing outbreak Israel has reported a second measles death in an unvaccinated 18-month-old child. Last week, a 2-year-old boy died from the virus, according to The Times of Israel.
In the past 3 months, Israel has reported more than 500 measles cases, most in unvaccinated children from Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh.
