July 25, 2025
Search
Facebook Instagram X-twitter Youtube
  • Home
  • Business
  • Insider Reports
  • Health & Fitness
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • Texas Family Values
  • Politics
    • Texas Border Crisis
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Games
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Business
  • Insider Reports
  • Health & Fitness
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • Texas Family Values
  • Politics
    • Texas Border Crisis
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Games
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Texas Measles Outbreak Reaches Double Digits, Health Officials Issue Warning

Chi H. by Chi H.
February 8, 2025
in Health & Fitness, Public Safety, Top News
0
Federal Judge Rules for Pfizer in Lawsuit Over Company’s COVID-19 Vaccine

A health care worker prepares a COVID-19 vaccine, in a file photograph. Bay Ismoyo/AFP via Getty Images

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A measles outbreak in Texas has surpassed ten cases, prompting the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to issue a health alert on Friday.

Why It Matters

Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that can cause severe complications, particularly in infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. Early symptoms resemble the flu—fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes—before progressing to a red, blotchy rash. The disease spreads quickly in under-vaccinated communities, and according to the CDC, 1 to 3 of every 1,000 infected children may die from complications.

Some Texas communities are seeing their first measles cases in over 20 years, according to The Texas Tribune.

Current Outbreak Details

DSHS has confirmed at least 10 measles cases in Gaines County in the past two weeks:

  • Eight school-aged children
  • Two children under five
  • Seven hospitalizations

All infected individuals were unvaccinated. DSHS is working with local health agencies to investigate the outbreak.

This follows a January health alert when Texas reported its first measles cases since 2023—two unvaccinated adults in Harris County. Two additional unvaccinated schoolchildren in Gaines County were later hospitalized and discharged.

Vaccination Decline and Policy Debates

Texas vaccination rates have dropped, with school immunization coverage falling from 97% in 2019-20 to 94.3% in 2023-24, while vaccine exemption requests nearly doubled—from 45,900 in 2018 to 93,000 in 2024.

State lawmakers have introduced over 20 bills this session aiming to weaken vaccine mandates, including a proposal to enshrine the right to refuse vaccinations in the Texas Constitution.

Health Experts Warn of Growing Threat

Health officials emphasize that vaccines remain the best defense. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, given in two doses, is highly effective.

“We are going to see more kids infected. More families will take time off work. More children will end up in the hospital. This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Rekha Lakshmanan of The Immunization Partnership.

Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority, added, “Vaccination is our best defense against measles and other preventable diseases.”

What’s Next?

Health officials expect more cases in Gaines County and beyond. DSHS continues working with local agencies, urging Texans to check their vaccination status and take precautions.

Tags: gaines countyhealthmeaslesoutbreakpublic healthsafetyvaccinations
Chi H.

Chi H.

As a Houstonian, I report on crtitical news and inspiring stories from the state of Texas. Before joining The Texas Insider, I worked at NTD Television as a news reporter and wrote for different publications.

Related Posts

Politics

Your Tax Dollars Stay Put: Harris County’s Cash Giveaway Program Gets the Boot

July 25, 2025
Austin’s About to Get a Massive Dose of Japanese Food Magic – And It’s Completely FREE!
Events

Austin’s About to Get a Massive Dose of Japanese Food Magic – And It’s Completely FREE!

July 25, 2025
Sugar Rush Alert: Dallas Goes Full Dessert Mode This Sunday
Events

Sugar Rush Alert: Dallas Goes Full Dessert Mode This Sunday

July 25, 2025

Latest

  • Your Tax Dollars Stay Put: Harris County’s Cash Giveaway Program Gets the Boot July 25, 2025
  • Austin’s About to Get a Massive Dose of Japanese Food Magic – And It’s Completely FREE! July 25, 2025
  • Sugar Rush Alert: Dallas Goes Full Dessert Mode This Sunday July 25, 2025
  • Free Back-to-School Events Across Texas: Your Kids’ New School Year Starts Here July 25, 2025
  • This Lubbock Museum Has the World’s Biggest Collection of Something You Never Knew You Wanted to See July 24, 2025

Trending Now

  • E4 Texas RoundUP: Exclusive Interview: Rob Scott, IT Attorney & Chief Innovator at Monjur

    E4 Texas RoundUP: Exclusive Interview: Rob Scott, IT Attorney & Chief Innovator at Monjur

    284 shares
    Share 114 Tweet 71
  • Texas Dad Advocates for Legal Changes to the Family Court System

    266 shares
    Share 106 Tweet 67
  • Texas Warrior Moms: Perla Muñoz Hopkins

    154 shares
    Share 62 Tweet 39
  • “Memo to Texas Moms: Be the ‘Flashlight’ that protects your children in our world”

    154 shares
    Share 62 Tweet 39
  • E41. Texas RoundUP: Interview With Jim Camp Jr., Owner And Coach At Camp Negotiations

    133 shares
    Share 53 Tweet 33
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact

© 2024 All rights Reserved. The Texas Insider.
The Texas Insider is a part of Epoch Media Group.

Facebook Instagram X-twitter Youtube