Texas measles case count rises by one, total reaches 718

Investing.com -- The Texas health department has reported a minimal increase in measles cases in the state over the last three days, with only one new case identified. This brings the total number of cases to 718 as of Friday, marking the smallest increase since the outbreak began in February.

The most recent case was identified in Gaines County, which has been the main hub of the outbreak, reporting a total of 406 cases thus far. The outbreak, which has caused the deaths of two unvaccinated children, originated in a Mennonite community in Texas and has since spread to neighboring states such as New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

In New Mexico, the health department reported an increase of three cases since its last update on Tuesday, bringing the total to 74. The majority of cases in New Mexico are from Lea County, which is adjacent to Gaines County in Texas.

Meanwhile, the number of measles cases across the U.S. has surpassed 1,000 for the first time in five years, according to federal data released last week. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1,024 measles cases across 31 jurisdictions as of May 15. Notably, 96% of these cases were found in patients who were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.

The CDC has reported 14 outbreaks, each involving three or more related cases, in 2025. Scientists are warning that the U.S. is nearing a critical point for the resurgence of endemic measles, a disease that was declared eradicated nationally in 2000. They are urging public health officials across the country to strongly endorse the use of highly effective vaccines.

According to the CDC, the measles vaccine is 97% effective after two doses.

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