What to Know: Measles Outbreak in Texas

Published on April 11, 2025

Texas Health and Human Services logo on a photo of a child with measles.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting a measles outbreak in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection, which can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not vaccinated.

Measles can be prevented with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Tarrant County Public Health has several clinic locations, including one at 2920 S. Cooper St. in Arlington, that offers vaccinations. The Arlington clinic is open from 8 a.m. to noon and then from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

The Tarrant County Public Health website shows that no cases of measles have been reported this year.

Tarrant County Public Health Clinic Locations

Here’s what to know about measles

Early symptoms (first few days)

  • Moderate fever
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red eyes
  • Sore throat

Later symptoms (after a few days)

  • Blue-white spots inside the mouth
  • Red-brown rash that starts at the hairline and spreads down the body
  • High fever (can go over 104°F)
  • The rash usually appears 14 days after exposure. Some immunocompromised people may not develop the rash.

When to seek emergency care: 

Measles typically starts with cough, runny nose and red eyes and often leads to a rash and fever over 101°F. If you think you have measles, get medical care. Symptoms can become worse over time, complications can develop, and measles can be deadly if you don’t receive appropriate care.

If you have any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately:

  • A hard time breathing or breathing faster than normal.
  • Signs of severe dehydration (dry nose and mouth, urinating less than usual).
  • Confusion, decreased alertness or severe weakness.
  • For young children: a blue color around the mouth, crying without making tears, unusually low energy or severe loss of appetite.

Have someone call the Emergency Department to let them know a person with measles is coming in so they can see you away from other patients.

How long is a person contagious? 

People are contagious about four days before their rash starts to four days after it appears. If you might have measles, stay home during this time.

How measles spreads

  • Through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks (the virus can live on surfaces or in the air for up to two hours).
  • By touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Measles is a highly contagious virus; 90% of the people close to an infected person who are not immune will become infected with the measles virus.

How to prevent measles

  • The best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. This is primarily administered as the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Two doses prevent more than 97% of measles infections.

 What to do if you are exposed

  • If you are fully vaccinated, you are considered protected and are unlikely to contract the virus. 
  • If you have been exposed and are not immune, contact your health care provider for guidance and monitor for symptoms. 
  • If you develop measles symptoms, immediately isolate and call your doctor. Unless it is an emergency, contact the clinic or hospital before visiting to help prevent the spread to others.   
  • Doctor offices, clinics, and hospitals report suspect cases to Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) at 817-321-5350, even before confirmation. Schools and childcare facilities report measles cases to TCPH if reported by the parent/guardian or from a staff member.  
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