Tarrant County ‘getting ready for measles’ as West Texas outbreak grows
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Measles in Texas
Tarrant County has confirmed its first measles cases. Follow our reporting on the Texas outbreak.
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Public health officials in Tarrant County are preparing for the possible arrival of measles as an outbreak of the disease grows in West Texas.
At the request of Precinct 2 Commissioner Alisa Simmons, county health officials attended the court session on March 11 to brief commissioners on the status of the outbreak, what they are doing to minimize impacts in Tarrant County if it spreads here and what residents can do to protect themselves and their families.
Tarrant County is “more of a high risk area,” Chief Epidemiologist Russ Jones said.
“Lubbock is already set up, so we’re just getting ready,” he said. “Perhaps we won’t need it.”
The vaccination rate among kindergartners in Tarrant County is around 91.5%, he said. The ideal threshold to avoid cases of measles popping up is 95%.
“At this level, we’ll have some cases,” he said.
The vaccination rate among seventh graders is higher, 97%, but there are “pockets” of large numbers of unvaccinated students, Jones said.
Without saying its name specifically, he mentioned the private religious school at Mercy Culture Church, whose pastor recently praised the school’s 14% vaccination rate as the lowest in Texas.
Tarrant County Public Health Director Dr. Brian Byrd told the Star-Telegram last week that there is a “moderate to high likelihood” measles will arrive here.
How many people have gotten measles in West Texas?
Jones began his presentation with an update of the situation in several West Texas counties. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services has since updated the figures he presented. The number of infections has risen to 223 people in nine counties, most of those bordering New Mexico.
There are 30 cases in Lea County, which borders Gaines County, where the majority of Texas’ measles cases — 156 — have been confirmed.
Over 80% of the cases Jones presented were in people under the age of 18. The latest numbers show that 95% of the infected people are under 18.
“So it’s affecting children,” Jones said. “The last I heard, the median age was actually 6 years of age as a result of kids who aren’t vaccinated.”
Over 90% of those infected were not vaccinated, he said; 23 people have been hospitalized and one unvaccinated child died in February.
What is Tarrant County doing to prepare for measles?
Tarrant County Public Health has begun an information campaign to help community organizations prepare for the possible arrival of measles. They have communicated with hospitals, clinics, schools, day cares and other institutions that could see the spread.
“We sent out health alerts … to hospitals,” Jones said. “They’re getting ready for measles.”
Health officials also hope to be able to identify people after they have been exposed to the virus to offer emergency vaccinations. By vaccinating within three days of the initial exposure, the disease can be stopped or its severity can be lessened, Jones said.
He recommended that those in vulnerable populations, such as small children and those who are pregnant or immunocompromised, get vaccinated as quickly as possible after exposure.
And he urged people who get sick to isolate themselves so as not to spread the virus.
“Quarantine is the old fashioned way of controlling measles,” Jones said. “If you have it, we want you to stay at home.”
He added that staying home should be rather easy, as measles causes extreme lethargy, among other unpleasant symptoms, such as rash, fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis is also known as pink eye. But in the measles sufferer it is “not your typical pink eye,” Jones said, adding that it can cause one’s eyes to swell shut.
More serious complications of the disease include ear infection, pneumonia, diarrhea and dehydration and encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can cause intellectual disabilities and movement disorders.
Measles can also cause what is known as “immune amnesia,” in which the immune system loses its “memory” of other infections it would normally be able to fight off.
Does Tarrant County Public Health recommend vaccines?
After Jones’ presentation, Simmons asked Byrd if he had any advice for parents “on the fence about vaccines.”
Byrd said he never wants to pressure anyone into taking any particular medical treatment, but gave his recommendation as a practicing physician.
“If they were sitting across from me in the exam room and I’m their physician, I would let them know that it was my opinion that this is a good decision to give this vaccine if you wish it,” he said. “And the reason I think so is because the safety data point is just so good.”
Byrd emphasized he wanted to establish trust with the public and said there is a chance of adverse reactions to the vaccine as “there are risks with any medical treatment.”
The most serious is febrile seizure, which is a seizure caused by a high fever, but such reactions are rare, he said, and there are no long-term effects to the patient once the seizure is treated.
“As a physician, I strongly recommend the MMR vaccine,” he said. “I think it’s very safe. It is unbelievably effective.”
How do I know if I’ve been vaccinated for measles?
Precinct 4 Commissioner Manny Ramirez asked how people can check to see if they have been vaccinated for measles.
Jones said that primary care physicians can run blood test for antibodies, but going ahead and getting a dose will not have any adverse effects, even in people who were vaccinated as children. It is also cheaper than the blood test, he said.
Jones recommended those who would have been given the vaccine between 1962 and 1992, when it was a single shot, go ahead and get another dose.
Ramirez’s office declined to comment on the briefing.
Attending the session via video call, Precinct 3 Commissioner Matt Krause asked if the public health department has any resources for Tarrant County residents looking for information or vaccinations.
Krause did not respond to a request for comment on the briefing.
Jones said they offer the vaccine in the county’s public health clinics, and they can also call the department to get more information. He also recommended people speak with their primary care providers about the vaccine and other concerns. The vaccine is covered by all health insurance plans, he said.
Residents can find more information on the public health department’s website, or reach them by phone at 817-321-4700.
The other commissioners and County Judge Tim O’Hare did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 2:30 PM.
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