West Texas Measles Outbreak Hospitalized 60 of 325 Cases, Killing 1 Unvaccinated Child
Updated
Updated · CDC · May 27
West Texas Measles Outbreak Hospitalized 60 of 325 Cases, Killing 1 Unvaccinated Child
2 articles · Updated · CDC · May 27
CDC’s review found 60 hospitalizations among 325 confirmed measles cases in West Texas from Jan. 20 to March 18, 2025, with one death during the outbreak’s first three months.
All 54 hospitalized patients with available records were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, and 91% were under 18, including 56% ages 0 to 4.
Complications were common: 72% had pneumonia, 46% dehydration, 69% hypoxia and 70% needed supplemental oxygen; four children entered intensive care and two were intubated.
Among five hospitalized adults ages 18 to 44, four were pregnant; two delivered infants who tested positive for measles within two days of birth.
The outbreak later grew to 762 confirmed cases, 99 hospitalizations and two deaths by Aug. 18, 2025, underscoring CDC’s warning that vaccination remains the main protection against severe disease.
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