An unvaccinated child died of measles in West Texas, Texas, the first death in an outbreak that began late last month and the first time since 2015 from measles in the United States.
The Texas Department of Health Services said in a statement Wednesday that the death was a “unvaccinated school-age child” and was hospitalized last week. Lubbock health officials also confirmed the death, but did not provide further details. A press conference scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Lubbock’s Covenant Children’s Hospital did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office.
Measles outbreaks in rural West Texas have grown to 124 in nine counties, state health officials say the largest in Texas in nearly 30 years. There are also nine cases in eastern New Mexico.
In 1998, Canada announced the elimination of measles, but as vaccination rates decline, new cases are growing rapidly. In the first two months of this year, 95 people were infected, while all 147 were in 2025.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed this is the first measles death in the country since 2015. Measles cases were the worst in nearly three decades in 2019, with an increase in 2024, including a Chicago outbreak of more than 60.
The outbreak has spread to the Mennonite community in western Texas, where small towns are separated by a large number of oil rigs open land, but due to work between towns, churches, grocery shopping and other errands Connect with it.
Most of the time, people under 18 years old
According to the Texas Department of Health, the vast majority of cases in the area are among those under the age of 18. Children are advised to use measles, mumps and rubella vaccines between 12 and 15 months, which can safely and efficiently prevent infections and severe cases. The first shot, the second time, was between the ages of four and six.
Lara Anton, a spokesman for the state Department of Health, said children need to enter kindergartens at U.S. public schools before they enter kindergartens, but measles cases in West Texas have been concentrated on “close-connected.” Insufficient vaccines” of the Mennonite community. Enroll in a small private religious school or homeschooling.
Gaines County, with 80 cases, is one of the highest rates for school-age children in Texas, who opted out of at least one required vaccine, nearly 14% of K in the 2023-24 school year – Nearly 14% of 12 children.
Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said in Canada, there are reported 95 cases of measles so far this year. Last year in Canada, there were 147 cases of measles in the whole year.
Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba reported new cases last week. Local health officials said most cases have not been vaccinated yet.
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