The measles outbreak in West Texas continues to grow more than two months after it began, with health officials warning that the virus could continue spreading for several more months. The official case count is believed to be an underestimation, as measles remains one of the most contagious diseases in the world.
As of Friday, Texas had recorded 309 cases and one measles-related death, while New Mexico reported 42 cases and one fatality. A total of 42 people have been hospitalized across both states. The outbreak, primarily affecting undervaccinated Mennonite communities, has spread across 14 Texas counties, two New Mexico counties, and has been linked to probable cases in Oklahoma.
Despite the alarming rise in cases, public health officials have noted a positive trend: increased measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations. More people have received the vaccine this year in Texas and New Mexico compared to last year, and demand for MMR shots has surged at pharmacies across the U.S., particularly in Texas.
Prolonged Outbreak Raises Concerns
Katherine Wells, director of Lubbock’s public health department, warned that the outbreak could last up to a year based on historical data from similar outbreaks in Amish communities. “It being so rural, now multistate, it’s just going to take a lot more boots on the ground, a lot more work, to get things under control,” Wells said during a media briefing.
Measles is highly contagious, often spreading before symptoms, such as the characteristic rash, appear. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Epidemiologist Justin Lessler from the University of North Carolina explained that if measles spreads into another community, the outbreak’s duration could reset, extending its impact.
If the outbreak persists into January 2026, the U.S. could lose its status of having eliminated measles, which is defined by the absence of local transmission for 12 consecutive months. Dr. William Moss, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins University, emphasized the importance of clear public messaging on vaccination to curb the outbreak.
MMR Vaccination Rates on the Rise
Despite challenges in containment, vaccination efforts have seen improvement. In New Mexico, more than 11,600 measles vaccines were administered between Feb. 1 and March 18 this year, nearly doubling the 6,500 doses given during the same period last year. The outbreak-affected area in southeast New Mexico accounted for a significant portion of the increase.
In Texas, at least 173,000 MMR doses were given from Jan. 1 to March 16, compared to 158,000 during the same period last year. However, because Texans must opt into the state’s immunization registry, the true number of vaccinations may be even higher.
Pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS confirmed increased demand for MMR vaccines nationwide, especially in outbreak-affected areas.
Struggles in Undervaccinated Communities
Health officials remain concerned about low vaccination rates in Gaines County, Texas, which has an 82% childhood immunization rate—well below the 95% threshold needed to prevent community spread. Small religious schools and homeschooling groups in the area likely have even lower coverage.
Pharmacist Prasad Ganji, based in Seminole, the largest town in Gaines County, reported slow uptake despite ordering additional vaccine doses. “The uptake for vaccines has definitely been a struggle,” said Wells.
As public health officials work to contain the outbreak, they stress that increasing vaccination rates remains the most effective way to prevent further spread and protect vulnerable populations.
