Texas measles update: 505 confirmed cases as of April 8 as virus continues to spread

The Texas Department of State Health Services said Tuesday that the number of measles cases in the outbreak that began in January has risen to 505 confirmed infections with 57 hospitalizations.

The total number of infections have risen by at least 83 patients over the past week. Based on the most recent data, the highly contagious measles virus continues to spread in 10 counties: Cochran, Dallam, Dawson, Gaines, Garza, Lynn, Lamar, Lubbock, Terry and Yoakum.

Tarrant County remains on alert after someone with measles visited in late March, but there are no confirmed infections here as of Tuesday.

Deaths from measles

The outbreak that originated in the South Plains region of Texas has so far claimed the lives of two unvaccinated children in the Lubbock area and one adult in New Mexico. Nationally, there have been more than 600 measles cases in 21 states.

In the most recent Texas child death on April 3, authorities say the 8-year-old girl suffered measles pulmonary failure. She had no reported underlying conditions.

Tarrant County exposure to measles

Tarrant County health officials issued a warning April 4 that someone who later tested positive for the virus had visited Grapevine between March 28 and March 30. The infected person was contagious when they visited the Great Wolf Lodge hotel and waterpark. The person also visited Grapevine Mills Mall on March 29, walked around the mall and ate at the food court.

Anyone who may have been exposed and is unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status is at risk of contracting measles. Symptoms can appear seven to 14 days after exposure. The virus can linger in the air in a room as long as two hours after a sick person was there.

People who are pregnant or immunocompromised and unvaccinated should contact a doctor immediately, Tarrant County officials said.

Measles symptoms & illness

Measles can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected. During an outbreak, about 1 in 5 children who get sick will need hospital care and 1 in 20 will develop pneumonia.

The most common symptoms are high fiver, cough, conjunctivitis and rash, with serious complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and encephalitis.

Tarrant County faces a “high risk” of measles cases due to lower 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.

Here are the latest numbers of measles cases by Texas county as of Tuesday, April 8, with any changes since Friday, April 4. The counties in bold are designated as having an active outbreak where the virus is spreading.

• Andrews: 1
• Borden: 1 (new)
• Brown: 1
• Cochran: 10 (up from 9)
• Dallam: 7
• Dawson: 20
• Ector: 8
• Erath: 1
• Gaines: 328 (up from 315)
• Garza: 2
• Hale: 5 (up from 3)
• Hockley: 3
• Lamar: 11
• Lamb: 1
• Lubbock: 36 (up from 33)
• Lynn: 2
• Martin: 3
• Midland: 1
• Randall: 1 (new)
• Terry: 46 (up from 43)
• Yoakum: 17

The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

This story was originally published April 8, 2025 at 11:43 AM.

Matt Leclercq

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Matt Leclercq was senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from 2021 to 2026. He is now editor of The Charlotte Observer and can be reached at mleclercq@charlotteobserver.com.