On April 15, the Texas health department reported a concerning rise in measles cases, bringing the total to 561, which marks an increase of 20 cases since April 11. This alarming trend has prompted the U.S. government to deploy a team of seven personnel to Texas to assist in managing this outbreak of the childhood disease.
The bulk of the measles outbreak is concentrated in Gaines County, where reported cases surged to 364, up from 355 just a few days prior. This dramatic increase highlights the urgent need for effective public health interventions to control the spread of the disease.
Dr. David Sugerman, from the Division of Viral Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provided a rare and insightful update regarding the ongoing situation during a panel meeting of experts advising the CDC. He emphasized that the response efforts are being significantly hindered by the cancellation of approximately $11 billion in federal grants that had been allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds were critical in tracking, preventing, and controlling infectious diseases like measles.
“We are scraping to find the resources and personnel needed to provide support to Texas and other jurisdictions,” Sugerman stated, reflecting the challenges faced in the current health crisis.
In response to the outbreak, the CDC has already deployed 15 personnel to Texas from March 4 through April 1, providing on-site technical assistance. As of Tuesday, a second team of CDC experts is being sent to further assist in managing the outbreak. The agency has also implemented infection prevention control systems in seven hospitals and is reviewing infection control strategies in local schools. Furthermore, remote technical assistance is being provided to several state health departments to bolster their response efforts.
In nearby Lubbock County, where 41 measles cases have been reported, local public health officials are closely monitoring the situation. Dr. Katherine Wells, director of Lubbock Public Health, noted that she first became aware of measles in their area back in January when two children were hospitalized. Notably, these children had not traveled, and their families indicated that the disease had been circulating in Gaines County for some time.
“I’m not sure we’ll ever know definitively how measles came into this community, but it had definitely been circulating when we found out about it,” Wells remarked, adding that the outbreak could potentially last for a year.
Dr. Sugerman expressed concern that if the outbreak continues to spread beyond January 20, 2026, the U.S. risks losing its measles elimination status. Since the onset of this outbreak, 58 patients have been hospitalized in Texas, and tragically, two unvaccinated children with no underlying health conditions have succumbed to the disease.
To the west, New Mexico's health department reported 63 measles cases on Tuesday, an increase of five since their last update four days earlier. The state also noted one additional hospitalization related to the disease. Notably, Doña Ana County reported its first case in 2025, while most of New Mexico's cases have originated from Lea County, which borders Gaines County in Texas.
The ongoing outbreak of measles serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination and public health preparedness. As health officials continue to monitor and respond to this situation, communities are urged to stay informed and prioritize vaccination to prevent further spread of this preventable disease.
