USA TODAY – The measles outbreak in Texas has surpassed 600 confirmed cases in 2025, with nearly 30 new infections reported since April 18, the state health department said.
As of April 22, there have been 624 measles cases confirmed in Texas since late January, according to new data released by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The outbreak of the childhood disease is primarily located in the western part of the state.
The latest figure is an increase of 27 cases since April 18, the state health department announced. Of the 624 cases, a total of 64 people have been hospitalized, while two unvaccinated children with no underlying health conditions have died, including an 8-year-old girl.
The majority of confirmed cases occurred in children and teenagers, with 186 cases reported in children 4 years old or under and 236 cases reported in patients between 5 and 17 years old, according to the state health department.
“Less than two percent, or fewer than 10 of the confirmed cases, are estimated to be actively infectious since their rash onset date was less than a week ago,” the state health department said in a news update on its website. “Individuals are infectious four days prior to and four days after rash onset.”
In New Mexico, the state’s health department reported 65 cases on April 22, up by two cases from its last update. Most of New Mexico’s cases are from Lea County, adjacent to Gaines County in Texas.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities,” the Texas health department has warned.
Dr. David Sugerman, from the Division of Viral Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said earlier that the agency had deployed 22 personnel to Texas to respond to the outbreak and provide on-site technical assistance from March 4 through April 15 …
