In an ongoing measles outbreak centered West Texas, health officials in Texas and New Mexico today reported 26 more cases, with cases in Texas passing 500 and New Mexico reporting a third affected county.
New CDC alert for health providers
As cases rise in the main outbreak area and in other states, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today issued another alert to health providers, reminding them that measles infections can be severe, with complications that can include pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, and that 12% of reported US patients this year have been hospitalized. Three deaths have been reported, including a recently reported fatality in a second Texas child.
The agency also emphasize the key role of vaccination. "Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination is the best way to protect against measles and its complications," it said. The CDC issued its last provider alert on March 7.
Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination is the best way to protect against measles and its complications.
In other measles developments, the Indiana Department of Health today reported its first case of the year, and the Colorado Department of Public Health reported its second case.
10 Texas counties now affected
The new cases in Texas come a day after the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) issued a health alert, adding more counties to the designated outbreak area. Most of the cases are in Gaines County, which has been the outbreak epicenter. The area now also includes Cochran, Dallam, Dawson, Garza, Lynn, Lamar, Lubbock, Terry, and Yoakum counties.
The TDSHS said the 10 counties have ongoing transmission and as of April 4 make up 95% of the state's measles cases.
At least seven cases in Lubbock have been linked to exposure at a daycare center, the Associated Press reported, citing Lubbock Public Health director Katherine Wells.
Today's 24 newly reported cases push the state's total since January to 505. All but 10 patients were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccine statuses. Fifty-seven people were hospitalized, and two deaths have been reported in school-aged children.
In the outbreak area in bordering New Mexico, health officials reported 2 more cases, pushing the state's total to 56. One of the cases is from a newly affected county, Chaves, which borders Lea and Eddy counties, which have now recorded 53 and 2 cases, respectively.
Indiana, Colorado confirm cases
The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) yesterday announced its first confirmed measles case of the year, which involves an unvaccinated minor from Allen County, which is in the northeast part of the state and is home to Fort Wayne.
State and local health officials are investigating the case, including whether there are other related cases.
The patient is stable and recovering. The illness marks Indiana's first measles case since early 2024.
Elsewhere, Colorado health officials reported the state's second case, which involves an unvaccinated Denver County infant who is younger than 12 months old. Babies typically receive a routine MMR dose when they are 12 to 15 months old.
Infants under 12 months are especially vulnerable to measles because they are typically too young to be vaccinated.
Rachel Herlihy, MD, MPH, state epidemiologist and deputy chief medical officer, praised Denver health partners for their quick work identifying the case and protecting the wider community.
"Infants under 12 months are especially vulnerable to measles because they are typically too young to be vaccinated," she said. "This case is a stark reminder that families traveling internationally should delay unnecessary travel or talk to their health care providers about early MMR vaccination for infants, especially when visiting areas with known measles outbreaks."
In a statement yesterday, the Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPH) said the child had recently traveled with family to an area of Chihuahua, Mexico, that is experiencing an ongoing measles outbreak. It added that the case doesn't appear to be linked to a recently announced case in Pueblo, which also involved a patient—an unvaccinated adult—who had recently traveled to an outbreak area in Mexico.
