Measles Outbreak in Texas Escalates to 159 Cases, Prompting Urgent Public Health Response

As of March 4, 2025, Texas is grappling with a significant measles outbreak, with the number of confirmed cases rising to 159 since late January. This surge includes 13 new cases reported in the past five days, underscoring the rapid spread of the virus. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reports that 22 patients have required hospitalization, and tragically, one unvaccinated school-aged child has died—the first measles-related death in the United States since 2015.

The outbreak is predominantly centered in Gaines County, located in the. . .