Texas measles outbreak: More than 300 cases as of Friday, March 21. Here’s the latest.
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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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The Texas measles outbreak has grown to a total of 309 cases, according to new data released Friday by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The total number of Texans hospitalized for measles stands at 40 as of Friday. There have been no new deaths; one school-age child who was not vaccinated for measles died in February.
The 309 cases clustered across the western side of Texas is an increase of 30 from the state’s last update on Tuesday. All but two have been in people — mostly children and teens — who have not been vaccinated.
The highly contagious virus has now infected people in 14 Texas counties; Garza, Hale and Hockley all saw their first confirmed infections this week.
The Metroplex has not seen cases related to this outbreak, but Tarrant County authorities warn that it is only a matter of time. The county’s chief epidemiologist says we are in a “high risk area” due to vaccination rates. The virus is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are unvaccinated.
Texas health authorities say the best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of the vaccine, which is “highly effective.” It takes about 14 days to develop immunity.
Measles vaccination rates have dipped so low in Tarrant County that about one-third of elementary schools could not prevent an outbreak if a child came to school while infected, according to a Star-Telegram analysis of school vaccination data.
The vaccination rate among kindergartners in Tarrant County is around 91.5%. The ideal threshold to avoid cases of measles popping up is 95%.
All of the Texas infections being tracked have been in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of the western part of the state. The outbreak started around Mennonite communities.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities,” the state posted in its Friday update.
Here are the latest numbers by Texas county, with increases since Tuesday:
- Cochran: 7
- Dallam: 6
- Dawson: 13 (up from 11)
- Ector: 2
- Gaines: 211 (up from 191)
- Garza: 1 (new)
- Hale: 1 (new)
- Hockley: 1 (new)
- Lamar: 5
- Lubbock: 8 (up from 5)
- Lynn: 2
- Martin: 3
- Terry: 37 (up from 36)
- Yoakum: 12 (up from 11)
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.
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.
Chief Epidemiologist Russ Jones recommends 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 urges people who get sick to isolate themselves so as not to spread the virus.
“Quarantine is the old fashioned way of controlling measles,” Jones told county commissioners during a recent update. “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.
This story includes reporting by Star-Telegram journalists Ciara McCarthy and Cody Copeland.
This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 11:36 AM with the headline "Texas measles outbreak: More than 300 cases as of Friday, March 21. Here’s the latest.."
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