Measles Outbreak Situation Report #3
- Emergency Manager's Weekly Report
- Mar 18, 2025
- 2 min read
Nationwide Highlights:
· As of March 13th, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 301 confirmed cases in 15 jurisdictions:
o A total of 17% of the cases required hospitalized.
o A majority of the cases (42%) were between five and 19 years old.
o 95% of the cases were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
Texas Highlights:
· The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported 279 cases since late January:
o 36 of these patients were hospitalized.
o The vast majority of the cases reported were located in Gaines County.
o 277 of the cases were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
o After additional investigation into the details of individual measles cases, DSHS has determined that three cases previously classified as vaccinated were not vaccinated cases:
ü Two of those cases got their vaccine doses one to two days before their symptoms started, after they had been exposed to the virus.
ü It takes the body about 14 days after vaccination to develop immunity to measles, so people aren’t considered vaccinated until that 14-day period has passed.
ü DSHS also reported that one of these cases was not infected but instead had a vaccine reaction. This case has been removed from the case count.
· To receive the vaccine, DSHS is encouraging residents to go through their health care provider or a pharmacy:
o Vaccines are also available through the Texas Vaccines for Children and Adult Safety Net Providers.
o The State is also working with local public health agencies to operate vaccination clinics. Additional details are available here.
New Mexico Highlights:
· The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is reporting 38 cases:
o 29 of these cases were unvaccinated.
o A majority of the cases (36) are located in Lea County.
· Vaccination Update:
o 10 New Mexico public health offices are offering daily walk-in vaccinations until further notice.
o Vaccination clinics are also continuing statewide. These clinics are scheduled out until April 30th.
Oklahoma Highlights:
· The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) on March 14th reported two more probable cases:
o Through the case investigation the individuals reported that they were in public settings while they were contagious, creating a risk to the public.
o The public is advised if they were located in any of these locations in the date/time indicated and are unvaccinated they should document their name and contact information here.
o Both cases reported exposure associated with the Texas and New Mexico outbreak.
Sources:
· CDC Measles Cases and Outbreaks Website
· New Mexico Measles Resource Hub
· Texas Department of State Health Services Twitter Page
· New Mexico Department of Health Twitter Page
· Oklahoma Department of Health Twitter Page
· FactCheck Twitter Page
Resources
Measles Is Harmful, Contrary to Flimsy Social Media Claims of Long-Term Benefits (New)
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