As of May 6, 2025, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported 702 confirmed measles cases, marking an increase of 19 cases since May 2. Gaines County remains the epicenter, accounting for 403 of these cases. This surge is part of a broader national outbreak, with 935 confirmed cases across 30 U.S. jurisdictions and 12 known outbreaks this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health researchers warn that the United States may be approaching a resurgence of endemic measles, a disease previously declared eradicated nationwide 25 years ago.

Neighboring New Mexico has reported 67 measles cases, primarily in Lea County, which borders Gaines County. The spread is notably severe in undervaccinated Mennonite communities, and containment is challenging due to the rural, multi-state nature of the outbreak.

The outbreak has significant social implications, particularly concerning vaccination rates and public health trust. Gaines County has one of the highest rates of vaccine exemptions in the country, with nearly 14% of children skipping required vaccines in the prior school year. The outbreak is concentrated in a Mennonite community known to be under-vaccinated.

Misinformation about vaccines has further complicated containment efforts. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reignited debunked claims about vaccines, stating that the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine contains "aborted fetus debris" and questioning the efficacy of the mumps component. Vaccine experts clarify that while the rubella portion is developed using a cell line from a 1960s abortion, no intact fetal cells remain in the final vaccine product. Experts also rebut Kennedy’s claim that the mumps vaccine was never safety tested, affirming that two doses offer approximately 86% protection.

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. However, declining vaccination rates have led to its resurgence. An April 2025 study estimated that 51.2 million measles cases could occur over the next 25 years due to the decline in childhood vaccination.

In response to the outbreak, health officials are emphasizing the importance of vaccination to prevent further spread. The CDC recommends that all individuals receive the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective.

Local health departments are working to increase vaccination rates and combat misinformation. In Lubbock, public health officials are using public-service announcements featuring trusted community members, billboards, flyers, and social media to disseminate accurate information.

The outbreak has occurred amid a political climate where vaccine skepticism has been promoted by some officials. The Trump administration's policies have been criticized for their negative impact on children's health, including withdrawing support from international vaccination initiatives and cutting U.S. AID nutrition programs. Domestically, the administration supports anti-vaccine rhetoric, contributing to a nationwide resurgence of diseases like measles.

The 2025 measles outbreak in Texas and the broader United States underscores the critical need for effective public health strategies, accurate information dissemination, and robust vaccination efforts to prevent the resurgence of preventable diseases.