Texas measles outbreak: 259 cases reported, 34 hospitalized

LUBBOCK, Texas -- In its latest update, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said there were 259 cases of measles across the South Plains.

Thirty-four patients were hospitalized, according to DSHS. According to DSHS, a combined 257 of the cases either did not have a measles vaccine, or had an “unknown status.”

An unvaccinated school-aged child passed away due to the measles in late February. Officials said the child did not have known underlying conditions.

The cases below are associated with the West Texas outbreak:

DSHS said there were other cases not associated with the West Texas outbreak, including two in Harris County, one in Rockwall and one in Travis County. These cases were all associated with international travel to a country where measles regularly spreads, according to health officials.

In Lea County, New Mexico, officials recently said an unvaccinated resident tested positive for measles after they passed away. The official cause of death remains under investigation. The individual did not seek medical care before passing, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. New Mexico's last update showed 33 measles cases, all residents of Lea County except for one in Eddy County.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through the air and can linger for hours when an infected person coughs or sneezes, officials said. According to health officials, symptoms start with fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, followed by a rash that spreads across the body. Health officials said measles can lead to dangerous complications like pneumonia, brain swelling and even death, especially for young unvaccinated or immunocompromised children. 

Lubbock Public Health urged people to seek medical care quickly if they think they or a loved one could have measles, regardless of immunization status.

"Every moment matters. Don't delay seeking medical care," said Lara Johnson, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Lubbock Service Area, Covenant Health. "Your health and well-being are too important to wait."

If someone is experiencing the symptoms below, they need to go to an emergency room immediately:

• hard time breathing or breathing faster than normal
• signs of severe dehydration (dry nose and mouth, urinating less frequently)
• confusion, decreased alertness, or severe weakness
• for young children - a blue color around the mouth, crying without making tears, unusually low energy, or severe loss of appetite.

Lubbock Public Health said to call the emergency department before you arrive and let them know a person with measles is coming in.

Find more information about where to get the measles vaccine on the South Plains here.