As measles cases continue to rise in rural West Texas, concerns over the preventable virus are growing among Americans. An unvaccinated child recently died in the outbreak, which has now affected nearly 200 people. The CDC has reported that the last confirmed measles death in the United States was in 2015 and has dispatched teams to help investigate and control the outbreak in Texas.
Measles cases have also been reported in other states such as New Mexico, Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases, and three measles clusters have met this criteria in 2025. The virus is highly contagious and spreads through the air when infected individuals breathe, sneeze, or cough.
While measles usually doesn’t result in death, complications can occur such as ear infections, pneumonia, or swelling of the brain. The best way to prevent measles is by getting the MMR vaccine, with the first shot recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old. Vaccination rates have dropped nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to concerns about measles outbreaks.
Health care professionals recommend getting tested for antibodies to measles and potentially receiving boosters, especially for those at high risk or living in outbreak areas. Overall, increasing vaccination rates in the community is seen as critical to preventing future measles outbreaks.
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