Measles cases have continued to increase this week in both Texas and New Mexico, according to each state's respective health department agencies.^1,2

As of March 11, 2025, the number of measles cases in Texas has reached 223, all reported since late January. Of these, 29 patients have been hospitalized. In February, a school-aged child who lived in the Texas outbreak area, was vaccinated, and had no underlying health conditions died of measles, the first death in the United States related to the highly contagious disease in a decade.^1,3

Later, on March 6, 2025, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reported that a resident of Lea County had died. The health agency stated the individual was unvaccinated and had tested positive for measles after death.⁴

As of March 11, 2025, NMDOH reported 33 cases of measles, including a new case in Eddy County, the first reported outside of Lea County.⁴ Of the 33 cases currently reported, 27 are among those who have not been vaccinated and 5 among with an unknown vaccination status.⁵

Thirteen individuals with measles in the state are younger than 18 years of age, with 5 individuals aged 0 to 4 years. The NMDOH website lists that 2 doses of MMR vaccine provides the best protection against measles infection.⁵

“We don’t want to see New Mexicans getting sick or dying from measles,” said Chad Smelser, NMDOH Deputy State Epidemiologist, on the health agency's website. “The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against this serious disease.”⁴

On March 11, 2025, the agency reported that since February 1, 2025, approximately 9000 residents of New Mexico have received the MMR vaccine, compared to 5342 vaccinations during the same time period in 2024.²

"Any measles diagnosis is a concern, and we are watching every case closely,” said Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer. "We are heartened by the number of New Mexicans getting vaccinated in response to this outbreak.”²

In the above video interview, Contemporary Pediatrics' editorial advisory board member Donna Hallas, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN—clinical professor, program director of Pediatrics NP at New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing in New York, New York—offered her thoughts on the outbreak, and like many health care professionals, advocated for increased vaccine acceptance and communication of efficacy.

"The measles outbreak is so concerning, and primarily because we have prevention with the MMR vaccine. We absolutely do not have to have any cases in the United States," said Hallas. "Unfortunately, now people are facing the reality of their children getting very sick. One child has died, and we haven't seen measles deaths in 10 years, and we shouldn't have it in this country."

Hallas, interviewed during the 2025 NAPNAP National Conference held in Chicago, Illinois, called for continued vaccine advocacy among fellow health care providers.

MORE: Click here for our full coverage from the 2025 NAPNAP National Conference.

"There has to be some way for the community itself to look at what's going on and take charge and say, 'Listen, we don't want you to be sick. We don't want you to spread it to an immunocompromised individual, where they can die from it.' So it's really important that we take care of it and we listen to the evidence. Right now, the evidence is not being recognized. It's not being sent out."

"The measles outbreak that is currently happening in Texas and New Mexico is occurring in an area of the states that have very high anti-vaccine sentiments," Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAP, editor-in-chief of Contemporary Pediatrics and president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), said in a previous interview.³

Tan stated this amid reports of the CDC stopping an influenza vaccination campaign and potentially removing publicly-available vaccine data.³

"This is a major problem, because if people have questions about vaccines, and they cannot get scientifically-sound information, and the public health officials are prohibited from talking to them about the vaccines, then they're not going to get it," said Tan.³

References:

1. Measles outbreaks - March 11, 2025. Texas Health and Human Services. Press release. March 11, 2025. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025

2. Measles cases rise to 33. New Mexico Health. Press release. March 11, 2025. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.nmhealth.org/news/awareness/2025/3/?view=2191

3. Fitch, J. Tina Tan, MD, comments on the measles outbreak in Texas, vaccine-preventable diseases. Contemporary Pediatrics. February 27, 2025. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/tina-tan-md-comments-on-the-measles-outbreak-in-texas-vaccine-preventable-diseases

4. Lea County resident tests positive for measles after death. New Mexico Health. Press release. March 6, 2025. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.nmhealth.org/news/alert/2025/3/?view=2188

5. 2025 Measles Outbreak Guidance. New Mexico Health. Updated March 11, 2025. Accessed March 15, 2025. https://www.nmhealth.org/about/erd/ideb/mog/