News Summary
The Texas Department of State Health Services has announced that Gaines County is no longer classified as an outbreak county for measles. This shift comes as no new cases have been reported related to the West Texas epidemic, despite the state having 753 confirmed cases since January. While people in Lamar County remain designated as an outbreak area, the overall vaccination rate remains a concern, particularly among unvaccinated individuals who are at high risk. The University of Texas plays a pivotal role in addressing outbreak risks through a new simulation tool for public health officials.
Gaines County, Texas – The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has announced that Gaines County, the epicenter of a significant measles outbreak, is no longer classified as an outbreak county. This development comes following a report indicating no new cases linked to the West Texas epidemic. The total number of confirmed measles cases in Texas since late January is now at 753, with Gaines County alone accounting for 414 cases, representing over half of the state’s total.
Currently, Lamar County remains the only area still designated as an “outbreak county” by DSHS. Since the measles crisis began, a total of 98 patients have been hospitalized, primarily during the initial phases of the outbreak. The statistics reveal that 21 of the confirmed cases involved individuals who were fully vaccinated, while 22 cases were in those who had received just one dose of the vaccine. Approximately 94% of the confirmed cases, amounting to 710 individuals, were unvaccinated, which underscores the high vulnerability among this group.
Tragically, the outbreak has resulted in the deaths of two school-aged children in Texas due to complications stemming from measles. Both were unvaccinated and did not have any known underlying health conditions. This emphasizes the severe threat that measles, a highly contagious disease, poses, particularly to those who are unvaccinated.
In response to the outbreak, Austin Public Health officials, along with representatives from the University of Texas, have actively worked to predict how measles could spread based on school vaccination rates. Their collaboration intensified in February as the crisis escalated. Dr. Lauren Ancel Meyers from the University of Texas, who heads the CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, has played a vital role in the response efforts, leading to the creation of a mock-up for a measles outbreak risk calculator.
This new tool is designed to assess measles outbreak risks based on variables such as school sizes and vaccination rates. Officially launched on March 4, the measles outbreak simulation tool is currently being used by public health agencies in prominent cities such as Houston, El Paso, and New York City, along with researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the CDC.
Data reveals that the vaccination rates for kindergartners in Travis County have noticeably declined, falling from 96.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to just 89.6% in the 2023-2024 school year. Utilizing the simulator indicates that increasing the vaccination rate of a hypothetical 700-student elementary school from 83% to 95% could significantly lower the likelihood of an outbreak occurring.
Since its introduction, the forecasting tool for measles outbreaks has been adopted by health officials in 22 states, underscoring its usefulness in public health planning. Measles, known for being highly contagious, can remain airborne for up to two hours, with an infection rate of 90% among unvaccinated individuals upon exposure.
In Gaines County, the overall vaccination rate among school-aged children is around 14%, which is considerably higher than the state average of 2.32%. Local health officials have observed an increase in vaccine exemption rates from 0.76% in 2014 to 2.32% in 2023. A significant number of the unvaccinated children in the county belong to specific religious communities that opt out of vaccinations for reasons of conscience.
While the CDC is ready to provide assistance when requested, Texas has not yet sought such help. The ongoing outbreak highlights the crucial importance of maintaining high vaccination rates in order to prevent the spread of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, a collective effort that is vital for public health and safety.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 4 News: Texas Measles Outbreak
- Wikipedia: Measles
- Medical Xpress: Measles Cases Update
- Google Search: Measles Outbreak 2025
- Statesman: Austin Officials Response
- Google Scholar: Measles Vaccination Rates 2025
- NBC News: West Texas Measles Outbreak
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Measles
- AP News: Gaines County Measles
- Google News: Measles Outbreak 2025
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The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
