Bioscience-Medicine

Measles outbreak update: Texas reports 20 new cases in South Plains and Panhandle regions

Texas Public Radio | By Gabriella Alcorta-Solorio

Published March 18, 2025 at 11:37 AM CDT

The ultrastructural appearance of a virus particle, or virion, of the measles virus

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State health officials on Tuesday reported 20 more cases of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions.

That raised the number of confirmed cases since January to 279, with 36 patients hospitalized, though the state does not report how many of those have already been released.

It’s time to get real about vaccines and get the facts. Vaccines are safe and can help protect your child from serious illness or even death.
For more vaccine information, visit your healthcare provider or https://t.co/NHqmf5jvXN. pic.twitter.com/2dLddX9BKV
— City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (@SAMetroHealth) March 14, 2025

At least two people have died — an unvaccinated person in New Mexico and an unvaccinated child in Lubbock. The death in New Mexico was in Lea County. The county borders Gaines County, where the outbreak is centered.

Two of the confirmed measles cases are in vaccinated people, and the rest are unvaccinated, or their status was unknown.

Bioscience-Medicine

Measles remains a danger to health even years after an infection

Maria Godoy

The U.S. now has more than 600 measles cases in 22 states, most are in Texas. People usually recover, but doctors are stressing how dangerous and long-lasting the disease can be.

Measles complications can include pneumonia, hearing loss, meningitis, and death.

The state's updates come every Tuesday and Friday.

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