Tag: measles outbreak 2025

How to be Aware and Prepared for Measles

My home state Oklahoma confirmed its first two measles cases on March 11, 2025, linked to outbreaks in neighboring Texas and New Mexico. This is added to outbreaks in at least 12 other states. Viruses don’t recognize state lines or international borders, so everyone needs to be aware and prepared for its arrival.

I live in Oklahoma, and depending on where you live you may or may not know where that is.

My state lies in the south-central part of the United States, often called the Plains. You may be familiar with Texas, a large state that shares its southern border with Mexico.

Oklahoma shares its southern border with Texas. We also border five other states-Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

With measles cases reported in Texas and New Mexico, it’s not surprising it has crossed over into Oklahoma. Rather, people infected with the measles virus have crossed over.

According to the CDC,

“As of March 6, 2025, a total of 222 measles cases were reported by 12 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington.”

Why should you care? Lots of people will travel over Spring Break, which starts here next week. In two months schools close for the summer and families travel on vacations. When people travel, the viruses they carry go with them.

More states, and maybe countries, may join the list of measles outbreaks. Here is the report from Oklahoma Voice about the infections in my home state.

First measles cases reported in Oklahoma, but public health officials remain mum on details

by Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
March 11, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY — State health officials on Tuesday ( March 11, 2025) said they’ve confirmed the first two cases of measles in Oklahoma amid an ongoing outbreak in Texas and New Mexico.

But Oklahoma State Health Department officials did not share where in Oklahoma those cases were diagnosed or how old the individuals are.

They said they believe the exposures were associated with the outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, which is confirmed to have killed one child and sickened over 250 people.

Erica Rankin, a spokesperson for the state health department, said Oklahoma’s two cases present “no further risk to public safety.” The agency only releases geographic information about measles cases when there is a “public health risk” and all potential exposures cannot be identified. Three or more related cases is considered an outbreak, she said. 

It was unclear Tuesday afternoon whether the individuals were vaccinated against the measles.

Health officials did say the two cases are unrelated to an erroneous report of measles in Bartlesville on March 4. The two confirmed cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are under investigation.

With outbreaks in neighboring states, the Oklahoma Health Department, or OSDH, has been on “high alert” and monitoring for cases in the state, according to a statement from the department. 

“If a measles case is identified, the OSDH team will work with the individual on next steps and guidance to mitigate the spread and protect others. If there is a risk of spread to the public, the OSDH will notify the public and share any information necessary to protect the health of Oklahomans.”

“These cases highlight the importance of being aware of measles activity as people travel or host visitors. When people know they have exposure risk and do not have immunity to measles, they can exclude themselves from public settings for the recommended duration to eliminate the risk of transmission in their community.”

per Kendra Dougherty, the Health Department’s director of Infectious Disease Prevention and Response

Prevention

Measles can be prevented with an MMR vaccine which is recommended for children at 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years old. Receiving two doses of the vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing measles, and one dose is about 93% effective, the Health Department reported in a statement. 

Almost 92% of Oklahoma kindergartners were up to date on their MMR vaccines, according to the 2023-24 Oklahoma Kindergarten Immunization Survey. 

The department recommended that individuals with known exposure to measles who are not immune through vaccination or prior infection consult with a health care provider and “exclude themselves from public settings for 21 days unless symptoms develop.” 

To confirm a report of measles, the case must show symptoms and have a test confirming the diagnosis. 

This story is republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com.

Measles elsewhere

Here are links to stories about the ongoing outbreaks of measles in New Mexico and Texas.

https://sourcenm.com/2025/03/07/growing-nm-measles-cases-not-a-rapidly-expanding-outbreak-doh-says/
Texas Measles Outbreak Nears 100 Cases, Raising Concerns About Undetected Spread

CDC Key Points about Measles

  • Measles is very contagious and can be serious.
  • Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.
    • Two doses of MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles.
Measles is highly contagious.

Exploring the HEART of Health

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Measles Cases Surge in the U.S.: Understanding the Outbreak

Measles cases in the U.S. have surged recently. Measles is highly contagious with serious complications, though largely preventable via vaccinations like the MMR. Public health officials express concern over these outbreaks.

update March 10, 2025

Measles in the U.S. has climbed to its highest level in 25 years, closing in on 700 cases this year in a resurgence largely attributed to misinformation that is turning parents against vaccines.

“This is alarming,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University vaccine expert. Not only is measles dangerous in itself, but its return could mean other vaccine-preventable diseases seemingly consigned to the past may be coming back as well, he said.

APNEWS.COM, APRIL 24, 2019

What is measles?

At one time, measles was one of the “usual childhood diseases” that most people Born before 1957 contracted as children prior to the use of the vaccine. It is caused by a virus in the Paramyxoviridae family and spread by person-to-person contact.

The other childhood diseases were

  • Rubella, or  German measles
  • Chicken pox, or  varicella
  • Roseola
  • Fifth Disease, or erythema infectiosum

These all cause a rash, called an exanthem.

Mumps was also a common childhood disease but does not usually cause a rash.

Symptoms of measles include

  • cough,
  • nasal drainage,
  • reddened, inflamed eyes, and
  • a rash as pictured below.
the rash of measles
image courtesy of the CDC- Centers for Disease Control , U.S. government

Treatment of Measles

Management of measles involves supportive care, meaning controlling fever for comfort, ensuring adequate nutrition and fluids to prevent dehydration.

Vitamin A supplementation is recommended by the World Health Organization and the CDC.

An antiviral drug, ribavirin has been used to treat severe life-threatening cases. It has not been studied in controlled trials, so the FDA has not approved its use.

Most of those infected recover uneventfully but there can be serious complications including pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Preventing measles and other exanthems

After the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963 the number of reported cases was reduced by 99%. In 2000 measles was declared no longer endemic (occurring routinely) in the United States. U.S. public health officials consider an outbreak a major setback in the control of infectious disease.

Measles vaccine is usually administered as a “3 in 1” vaccine- the MMR, which has been vilified as a possible cause of autism, although that has been thoroughly discredited.

The other two letters in the mix stand for mumps and rubella (also known as German measles) both of which are also caused by viruses and for which no treatment exists.

No vaccine exists for roseola or Fifth Disease, but we have an effective vaccine for varicella, commonly called chickenpox.

MEASLES OUTBREAK 2025

According to KFF Health News

“Since the outbreak emerged three weeks ago, the Texas health department has confirmed 90 cases with 16 hospitalizations, as of Feb. 21. Most of those infected are under age 18.

Officials suspect that nine additional measles cases reported in New Mexico, across the border from the epicenter of the Texas outbreak in Gaines County, are linked to the Texas outbreak. Ongoing investigations seek to confirm that connection.

Health officials worry they’re missing cases. Undetected infections bode poorly for communities because doctors and health officials can’t contain transmission if they can’t identify who is infected.

“This is the tip of the iceberg,I think this is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.”

Rekha Lakshmanan, chief strategy officer for The Immunization Partnership in Houston, a nonprofit that advocates for vaccine access.

Continue reading this report at

Texas Measles Outbreak Nears 100 Cases, Raising Concerns About Undetected Spread

sharing the HEART of health

My family receives vaccines and believe any potential risk is worth the benefit. I urge you to think carefully and talk to a trusted physician before you make vaccination decisions for yourself and your children.

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha 

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