A tragic measles outbreak sweeping through rural West Texas has claimed the life of an unvaccinated child, health officials confirmed on Wednesday. This marks the first measles-related death reported in the United States since 2015, drawing attention to the growing risks posed by declining vaccination rates.
The child, who was of school age, had been hospitalized at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock before passing away late Tuesday. While the child received care in Lubbock, they did not live in Lubbock County, according to officials with the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The measles outbreak — currently the largest Texas has seen in nearly 30 years — has spread across at least nine counties, with 124 confirmed infections reported since the outbreak began in January. The cases are heavily concentrated in Gaines County, where a closely connected, undervaccinated Mennonite community has experienced widespread illness.
Gaines County has also reported some of the state’s highest vaccine exemption rates, with nearly 14% of school-aged children opting out of at least one required vaccine dose last school year.
At Covenant Children’s Hospital, where many of the most serious cases have been treated, at least 20 measles patients have required hospitalization so far. Doctors noted that some patients developed severe respiratory complications, including bacterial pneumonia, requiring oxygen support or mechanical ventilation.
“There’s no targeted treatment for measles itself,” said Dr. Lara Johnson, chief medical officer at Covenant Health. “Our focus is on supportive care, helping patients fight the virus and manage complications.”
The Texas Department of State Health Services, in coordination with local and federal agencies, has been working to contain the outbreak by providing vaccines, laboratory support, and technical assistance to affected areas.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office said vaccination teams have been deployed to the region to increase immunization coverage, especially in communities where hesitancy or lack of access has contributed to low vaccination rates.
“The loss of a child is heartbreaking, and the state is fully committed to mobilizing all available resources to protect Texans and prevent further tragedy,” said Andrew Mahaleris, spokesperson for the governor.
While West Texas remains the epicenter, state health officials also confirmed a new, unrelated measles case in Rockwall County, near Dallas. That patient, who had recently traveled abroad, is not linked to the West Texas outbreak.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known, capable of lingering in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Even brief exposure can lead to infection in unvaccinated individuals, making the virus extremely difficult to contain without widespread immunization.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides highly effective protection, with the first dose recommended between 12 and 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years. In the U.S., the MMR vaccine is required for public school enrollment, though exemption rates in some areas have steadily climbed.
Although most children recover from measles, complications can be severe. Infections can trigger pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), permanent hearing loss, or even death.
Measles was officially declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning there was no sustained spread within the country for at least 12 months. However, imported cases combined with dropping vaccination rates have led to a slow resurgence of the virus, particularly in pockets of unvaccinated communities.
In 2024, Chicago experienced a significant measles outbreak, with more than 60 reported cases — highlighting how quickly the virus can spread once introduced into an undervaccinated population.
In Lubbock, the initial case linked to this current outbreak was an unvaccinated child who was exposed while sitting in the emergency department near another measles patient.
“It spreads incredibly fast,” said Katherine Wells, director of the Lubbock Health Department. “When one person in a household gets sick, the whole family can come down with it in just days. It’s a stark reminder of why vaccination is so critical.”
As health officials continue investigating additional potential cases, they are urging parents across Texas to review their children’s immunization records and schedule any missing vaccinations as soon as possible.
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