Measles Outbreak Spreads in Texas and New Mexico as CDC Urges Vaccination and Public Health Vigilance

Today in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Alert Network, or CDC HAN, is the primary channel for distributing urgent public health information to clinicians, public health officials, and key stakeholders. CDC HAN communicates through Health Alerts, which indicate the highest level of importance about a public health incident, as well as through Advisories and Updates. Almost all state-based HAN programs reach over 90 percent of their population, ensuring that crucial health information covers the country rapidly and efficiently according to the CDC. Public health officials and clinicians remain on high alert due to a rapidly expanding measles outbreak focused in Texas and New Mexico. As of March 7, 2025, these states reported 208 confirmed measles cases—198 in Texas and 10 in New Mexico—with two related deaths, one in each state. CDC guidance for today underscores that more cases are expected as the outbreak spreads swiftly. While the risk of nationwide measles transmission remains low because of high U.S. immunization rates and a robust public health response, the CDC strongly urges all U.S. residents to ensure their measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations are up to date, especially before international travel. Measles spreads easily among unvaccinated populations, and vigilance is advised for anyone experiencing febrile rash illnesses that could meet the measles case definition, as posted by the CDC. In addition, Texas Department of State Health Services recently confirmed further measles cases, including in school-aged, unvaccinated children from Gaines County who required hospitalization. These developments have prompted renewed calls for vaccination and public vigilance around fever and rash symptoms. According to Texas state health officials, earlier clusters were also identified in Harris County, with ongoing public health messaging emphasizing routine immunizations to limit spread. Meanwhile, the United States continues to experience its most severe flu season in over 15 years, with 43 states, particularly in the South, Southwest, and West, reporting high or very high flu activity. Hospitals nationwide are coping with an escalating number of flu-related complications and fatalities. According to PBS NewsHour, nearly 8 percent of recent doctor visits are related to flu-like symptoms, highlighting the urgency of preventive actions such as vaccination and good respiratory hygiene. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, met recently to address immunization strategies for a range of diseases, including influenza, COVID-19, and measles. An update on the measles outbreak and vaccine recommendations for diseases like meningococcal and chikungunya were discussed, as noted by Vax-Before-Travel. Notably, VIMKUNYA became the first chikungunya vaccine approved for use in the U.S. for those aged 12 and older this March, even ahead of ACIP’s formal recommendation. Public health monitors ar