The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles primarily in West Texas.

At this time, 753 cases have been confirmed since late January.

Less than one percent, or fewer than 10 of the confirmed cases, are estimated to be actively infectious since their rash onset date was less than a week ago.

Individuals are infectious four days prior to and four days after rash onset.

Ninety-eight of the patients have been hospitalized. This number is the total number of people hospitalized over the course of the outbreak. It is not the current number of people in the hospital.

There have been two fatalities in school-aged children who lived in the outbreak area. The children were not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.

Based on the most recent data, DSHS has identified a designated outbreak county with ongoing measles transmission: Lamar.

DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.   back...