Texas Measles Outbreak 2026: 152 Cases Confirmed — County-Level Tracker

Texas Measles Outbreak 2026: Current Status

Texas is one of the hardest-hit states in the national measles resurgence, with 152 confirmed cases in 2026 as of the latest CDC data (week ending March 18, 2026). The state is reporting active outbreaks across multiple counties, with the heaviest concentration in West Texas.

See the full case count, trend charts, and outbreak status on our Texas measles tracker.

Where Are the Cases? County-Level Breakdown

The 2026 Texas measles outbreak is centered in the western and northwestern parts of the state:

County	Cases (2026)	Region
Hudspeth	99	Far West Texas (near El Paso)
El Paso	21	West Texas
Lubbock	18	West Texas / South Plains
Rockwall	6	Dallas–Fort Worth suburbs

Hudspeth County has been the epicenter of the 2026 outbreak with 99 cases — extraordinary for a rural county with a population of roughly 4,000 people. The concentration suggests a contained community outbreak, similar to the pattern seen in tightly-knit unvaccinated communities.

The El Paso cluster (21 cases) is notable given its large population and proximity to the Texas-Mexico border. Lubbock’s 18 cases represent a second active cluster on the South Plains.

Texas vs. National Trend

With 152 cases, Texas accounts for roughly 25% of the 607 total confirmed US measles cases in 2026. The national outbreak spans more than 20 states, with Texas, Florida, and Indiana reporting the highest case counts.

Other states with active outbreaks to watch:

Florida measles cases — 61 cases, Collier County cluster
Indiana measles cases — Active outbreak
New Mexico measles cases — 12 cases, active outbreak
Ohio measles cases — 5 cases, active outbreak

Why Texas? The Vaccination Factor

Texas has faced persistent challenges with school immunization exemptions. The state allows non-medical (philosophical) exemptions from school vaccine requirements, and exemption rates have risen in recent years in some districts.

Measles requires 95% community vaccination coverage (MMR) to achieve herd immunity. When coverage drops below this threshold — even in small clusters — measles can spread rapidly. One infected person can transmit measles to 12–18 unvaccinated individuals.

Check Texas MMR vaccination rates to see how the state’s kindergarten coverage compares to the 95% herd immunity threshold.

Is the Texas Outbreak Getting Worse or Better?

The current data shows a decreasing trend in Texas — new cases reported in 2026 are slowing compared to the peak earlier in the year. However, active outbreaks remain ongoing in Hudspeth, El Paso, and Lubbock counties.

“Decreasing” does not mean the outbreak is over. Until chains of transmission are fully stopped, risk remains for unvaccinated individuals — especially in affected counties.

What Texas Residents Should Do

Verify your MMR vaccination status. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles. Check your records, especially if you were born after 1957.
Contact your doctor if you have symptoms. Measles starts with high fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes — followed by a rash. Call ahead before visiting a clinic to prevent spreading.
If you’re in an affected county, be vigilant. Hudspeth, El Paso, and Lubbock residents should be especially alert to symptoms in unvaccinated household members.
International travel increases risk. Measles remains common in many countries. If traveling abroad, ensure full vaccination before departure.

Texas flu activity — Current ILI% surveillance data
Texas RSV activity — Hospital admission trends
Texas COVID-19 activity — ER visit data
What’s going around in Texas? — Full health dashboard

Nearby States to Watch

New Mexico measles cases — Shares a border with West Texas, 12 cases active
Oklahoma measles cases — Northern neighbor
Louisiana measles cases — Eastern neighbor

Data updated weekly from Johns Hopkins University Measles Tracking Team via CDC. See the Texas measles dashboard for the latest numbers.