Measles cases in Texas, New Mexico, rise to 317 as outbreak spreads

Amid measles outbreak, cases in Texas, New Mexico climb to 317

Robert Besser
21 Mar 2025, 09:39 GMT+10

Measles cases in Texas, New Mexico, rise to 317 as outbreak spreads

Measles cases in Texas and New Mexico increased to 317 on March 18, up from 294 four days earlier, as the U.S. faces one of its worst outbreaks in a decade
The country has already exceeded last year's total of 285 cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Immunologist Frederic Bertley said cases could reach around 1,200 this year, nearly five times higher than last year

AUSTIN/SANTA FE: Measles cases in Texas and New Mexico increased to 317 on March 18, up from 294 four days earlier, as the U.S. faces one of its worst outbreaks in a decade.

The country has already exceeded last year's total of 285 cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Immunologist Frederic Bertley said cases could reach around 1,200 this year, nearly five times higher than last year.

In 2019, the U.S. recorded 1,274 measles cases, the highest since 1992.

Gaines County, Texas, the center of the outbreak, saw cases rise to 191 on March 18 from 174 on March 14. Across the state, 36 people have been hospitalized.

In New Mexico, the number of cases increased from 35 to 38, with two in Eddy County and the rest in Lea County, which borders Gaines County.

Last week, Oklahoma health officials reported four "probable" cases of unvaccinated people who were exposed to the outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico.

Infectious disease expert Lisa Lee said controlling a measles outbreak can take months to a year but can be prevented if 95 percent to 99 percent of people are vaccinated.

An unvaccinated child in Texas died of measles in February, the first U.S. death from the disease since 2015. Another unvaccinated adult in New Mexico also died, but the case is still under investigation.

The CDC has said the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most important tool for preventing measles.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Australian Herald.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

Amid measles outbreak, cases in Texas, New Mexico climb to 317

AUSTIN/SANTA FE: Measles cases in Texas and New Mexico increased to 317 on March 18, up from 294 four days earlier, as the U.S. faces...

US weighs broad travel ban covering dozens of countries

US government weighs travel ban on dozens of countries

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration is considering strict new travel restrictions for citizens of dozens of countries, according...

US: Maine violated federal law by allowing transgender girls in sports

US finds Maine policy on transgender athletes violates law

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration announced this week that Maine's education officials violated federal law by allowing transgender...

Some states still under watch for wind and potential tornadoes

US death toll from extreme weather over the weekend rises to 36

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Severe storms and tornadoes continued to threaten parts of Pennsylvania, New York, and several Mid-Atlantic...

United Nations building in Gaza destroyed, 1 dead, 5 injured

UN staffer killed in Gaza, 5 others severely injured

As Israeli tanks rolled into Gaza on Wednesday heralding a new ground invasion, a UN building was destroyed in a bombing, killing one...

Massive job cuts at Johns Hopkins as US administration pulls funding

Johns Hopkins to cut 2,000+ jobs after Trump halts $800 million grant

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Johns Hopkins University announced this week that it will cut over 2,000 jobs in the U.S. and other countries. This...

Sydney

Section

Amid measles outbreak, cases in Texas, New Mexico climb to 317

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

International

Amid measles outbreak, cases in Texas, New Mexico climb to 317

US weighs broad travel ban covering dozens of countries

US: Maine violated federal law by allowing transgender girls in sports

Some states still under watch for wind and potential tornadoes

United Nations building in Gaza destroyed, 1 dead, 5 injured

Massive job cuts at Johns Hopkins as US administration pulls funding

Sydney

Trump to sign rare earth mineral deal with Ukraine 'shortly', expresses hope for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

Nitish Reddy reveals how idol Virat Kohli's shoes played a role in his iconic BGT century

Cate Blanchett suggests awards shows should be private, not televised

IPL 2025: Saliva ban revoked after captains' meeting in Mumbai

Every generation thinks they had it the toughest, but for Gen Z, they're probably right

Andhra Pradesh: Gov Abdul Nazeer calls on State's people to observe Earth Hour on March 22

Movie Review

Klute [Blu-Ray]