The measles outbreak that started in West Texas in late January continues to grow, with 505 infections confirmed in Texas alone. This week, Texas health officials reported the death of an 8-year old, unvaccinated who lost their battle with the virus. Today, health authorities revealed that a day care in the heart of the outbreak has several cases including some kids too young to be fully vaccinated.
Infections stemming from the Texas outbreak also continue to rise in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Mexico. These outbreaks, combined with cases in many other states, have brought the national total to over 600 infections in 2025. This number already doubles the total from all of 2024. Epidemiologists project that cases will exceed the 1,274 cases confirmed in 2019, when large outbreaks brought the country to the brink of losing its measles elimination status (achieved in 2000). Experts say that we will likely lose this status in 2025 because it of the predicted year-long timeline for getting the outbreaks under control.
Full Story: Associated Press, NPR, ABC
