The Texas Department of State Health Services has declared the end of the 2025 measles outbreak that was centered in West Texas. According to the agency, more than 42 days have passed since a new case was reported in any of the affected counties, meeting the standard period for declaring an outbreak over. The department will continue monitoring for new cases but will stop updating its interactive outbreak dashboard.
Since late January, there have been 762 confirmed cases of measles linked to this outbreak. More than two-thirds of those infected were children. Ninety-nine people required hospitalization, and two school-aged children died as a result of complications from the virus.
“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. We arrived at this point through a comprehensive outbreak response that included testing, vaccination, disease monitoring and educating the public about measles through awareness campaigns,” 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.”
Health officials consider an outbreak over after 42 days with no new cases because this period is twice as long as measles’ maximum incubation time—the longest it can take between exposure and illness.
Despite declaring an end to this particular event, DSHS warns that measles remains a threat due to ongoing outbreaks elsewhere in North America and globally. The agency urges health care providers in Texas to remain alert for possible symptoms and continue testing when appropriate.
Measles is known for being highly contagious and can cause severe complications such as pneumonia or swelling of the brain, especially among unvaccinated individuals or young children. About one in five children who contract measles during an outbreak may require hospital care; some may develop life-threatening conditions or pregnancy complications if exposed while pregnant.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with infectious droplets or airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Symptoms typically appear within one to two weeks after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, followed by a rash spreading from face downward across the body. People are considered contagious from four days before until four days after their rash appears.
Anyone suspecting they have measles should isolate themselves immediately and contact their healthcare provider by phone before visiting a clinic or office to avoid exposing others.
Vaccination remains key for prevention; two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended—one at 12-15 months old and another at ages 4-6 years—which together prevent more than 97 percent of infections according to DSHS and CDC guidelines (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/index.html). While breakthrough infections can occur among vaccinated individuals, these tend to be milder with reduced risk of transmission.
Healthcare providers are advised to follow infection control recommendations found in DSHS health alerts and report suspected cases promptly to local health departments while patients are still present.
