A person hospitalized with measles in West Texas has died, marking the first fatality in an outbreak that has been spreading since late January. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center spokesperson Melissa Whitfield confirmed the death on Wednesday but did not provide details on the patient’s age.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that the outbreak has now grown to 124 cases across nine counties, with nine additional cases in eastern New Mexico.
The outbreak is primarily affecting the Mennonite community, where people frequently travel between small towns for work, church, and shopping, increasing the chances of exposure.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will contract it.
Most children who get measles will recover, but the virus can lead to serious complications, including:
✅ Pneumonia
✅ Blindness
✅ Brain swelling (encephalitis)
✅ Death
Local health officials are urging vaccination to prevent further spread, as measles was largely eliminated in the U.S. until recent outbreaks in unvaccinated communities. The outbreak remains a major public health concern, and authorities are monitoring its spread closely.
