A measles outbreak is spreading in one U.S. state, and health officials have confirmed a tragic turn of events as concerns grow over rising cases and complications.
Health officials have confirmed Texas’ first measles-related death as cases rise in the South Plains and Panhandle regions. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced the fatality on February 26, 2025.
Various vaccines at a children’s hospital in the U.S. on October 18, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Dr. Amy Thompson, CEO of Covenant Health Lubbock Service Area, spoke about the death in a press conference, “The patient has passed away from complications caused by the measles virus. The child was school-aged, and did not reside in Lubbock County.”
Thompson added, “We do want to say our thoughts and prayers are with this family, as this is, this is new news today, so this is, this is still really fresh for them.”
Health officials report that 124 measles cases have been confirmed since late January, with most infections occurring in children. Eighteen people have been hospitalized. The Texas DSHS warns that measles is highly contagious and can cause severe complications.
The Texas DSHS also added that during an outbreak, about one in five infected people require hospital care, and one in 20 develop pneumonia. In rare cases, the virus can lead to brain swelling and death. It can also cause pregnancy complications, such as premature birth and low birth weight.
Beyond the reported fatality in Lubbock, Texas DSHS has confirmed measles cases in eight counties. Gaines County has the highest number, with 80 cases, followed by Terry County with 21. Dawson County has reported seven cases, Yoakum has five, Dallam has four, Martin has three, Ector has two, and Lynn has one.
Dr. Lara Johnson, chief medical officer of Covenant Health Lubbock Service Area, addressed concerns about hospital care in a recent CNN interview. “We don’t hospitalize patients for quarantine purposes,” she said. “Quarantine is not something that would happen in a healthcare facility. We admit patients who need acute supportive treatment in our hospital.”
She explained that some patients have needed supplemental oxygen and respiratory support due to viral pneumonia linked to measles.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, particularly for babies, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after infection, starting with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Two to three days later, tiny white spots known as Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth. By days three to five, a red rash develops, beginning at the hairline and spreading downward.
Common complications include ear infections, which occur in about 1 in 10 children with measles, and diarrhea, reported in fewer than 1 in 10 cases. More serious complications include pneumonia and, in rare cases, brain swelling, which can be fatal.
Long-term effects can also arise years after infection. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal disease of the central nervous system, can develop 7 to 10 years after a measles infection, even in individuals who seemed to recover. The risk is highest for those who contracted measles before the age of 2.
With cases continuing to climb, health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination and early symptom recognition to prevent further spread and complications.
The reported measles-related death in Texas comes just weeks after the U.S. confirmed its first H5N1 bird flu fatality in January, marking another serious public health concern.
The fatal case involved a Louisiana patient who had been identified as the first severe human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the country. This patient, who was over 65 years old with underlying medical conditions, passed away, according to the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).
Following exposure to both wild birds and non-commercial backyard flocks, the late patient contracted H5N1, which led to their hospitalization. Amid the LDH’s report on the death, the department issued a message to the loved ones of the deceased.
USGS Biologist Science Tech Brooke Hill releases a Western Sandpiper after testing it for the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Sonoma, California on August 16, 2006 | Source: Getty Images
“The Department expresses its deepest condolences to the patient’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one,” they expressed. They also clarified that no further updates or details would be shared regarding the deceased patient.
In an effort to safeguard the public, the LDH also divulged measures civilians can take to avoid H5N1 infection.
They urged people to avoid exposure by staying away from wild birds and other animals that may be infected with or suspected of carrying bird flu viruses.
New England Wildlife Center staff rescuing birds affected by an oil spill in Brookline, Massachusetts on December 9, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
People should not bring sick wild animals into their homes and should avoid touching them, their droppings, or dead animals. The LDH also warns civilians to keep their pets away from wild and dead animals.
As a precaution, they advise against consuming undercooked or raw food. Eggs, poultry, and other animal products should be cooked to the proper temperature, and individuals should prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked food.
Officials urged people to report any sick or dead birds or animals to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Diagnostic Lab at 318-927-3441 or the USDA at 1-866-536-7593. They also advised those working on dairy or poultry farms to speak with their medical provider about receiving a seasonal flu vaccination.
While it will not make them immune to contracting avian influenza viruses, it may reduce the risk of co-infection with flu and avian viruses. However, the LDH emphasized that while the risk of infection remains low for the general public, those who work with birds, cows, or poultry, or have recreational exposure to them, stand a greater chance of being infected.
The LDH also noted, “If you have been exposed to sick or dead birds or other animals or work on a farm where avian influenza has been detected, watch for respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis.”
People who develop symptoms within ten days of exposure to potential sources should notify their healthcare provider about their contact with sick animals and their concerns about avian influenza.
Doing so helps medical professionals provide the appropriate advice on treatment and testing. “Stay home and away from others while you have symptoms,” added the LDH.
Aside from disclosing steps of prevention and the grim news about the U.S.’s first H5N1 death, the LDH confirmed that they found no evidence of person-to-person transmission or additional cases apart from the ones that have been reported following their extensive public health investigation.
On the matter of the current situation regarding cases, the CDC reported a confirmed total of 66 human cases in the U.S. during the 2024 outbreak. Several recent cases have been prevalent in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
The human cases occurred across the states of California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Regarding the exposure sources, 36 of the 37 cases in California originated from dairy herds (cattle), while one case has an unknown source. There were ten cases in Colorado, one of which stemmed from dairy herds (cattle), and nine came from poultry farms and culling operations.
A cattle ranch in Panama in 2024. | Source: Getty Images
The one case in Iowa’s exposure source was reported to be from poultry farms and culling operations, while the one in Louisiana (the case where the patient died) was from other animal exposure.
Michigan’s two cases stemmed from dairy herds (cattle), and the one case in Missouri had an unknown exposure source. Oregon and Wisconsin each have one case linked to poultry farms and culling operations.
The exposure source for Texas’ case was dairy herds (cattle), and all 11 of Washington’s cases stemmed from poultry farms and culling operations. Additionally, the CDC reported that as of January 3, 2025, H5N1 bird flu had been detected in 10,922 wild birds.
Before divulging the current data—which the CDC made clear was subject to continuous updates as the situation progressed—and sharing the news about the first death from the virus, officials had been investigating the source of the Louisiana patient’s H5N1 bird flu infection.
At that time, before the exposure source was confirmed, the patient was believed to have come into contact with deceased birds from backyard flocks. This marked the first reported U.S. case of H5N1 bird flu connected to backyard flock exposure.
Genomic analysis of the H5N1 bird flu virus from the Louisiana patient showed that it belongs to the D1.1 genotype, linked to recent detections in wild birds and poultry in the U.S. and human cases in Canada and Washington.
This differs from the B3.13 genotype seen in dairy cows, some human cases, and poultry outbreaks. At the time, the CDC was conducting further genomic sequencing and virus isolation from the sick patient.
A single severe H5N1 bird flu case in a person is not unusual, as this virus has caused serious illness and fatalities in other countries. The CDC has maintained that the overall public health risk from H5N1 bird flu is low.
Nevertheless, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to expedite the state’s response to H5N1 bird flu after cases emerged in Southern California dairy cows.
The virus spread across 16 states since its first confirmed detection in Texas and Kansas on March 25, 2024. Bird flu was first identified in the U.S. wild bird population in South Carolina in January 2022, followed by California in July 2022.
An outbreak in dairy cows was reported in Texas and Kansas, prompting CDFA to monitor California herds. Last month (December 2024), 61 confirmed human cases were reported across seven states, including 34 in California.
Newsom explained that the declaration of a State of Emergency enables greater flexibility in staffing, contracts, and containment measures. He informed the public that California has implemented the nation’s most extensive testing and monitoring system to address the outbreak.
The governor shared, “We are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference in Los Angeles, California, on October 27, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
As the government works to enhance public health, people have been urged to reduce their risk of H5N1 exposure. If exposure is unavoidable, personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, safety goggles, N95 respirators, and disposable coveralls, should be worn to minimize risks.
Jon Arizti Sanz, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow testing purchased milk at area grocery stores for the presence of bird flu, in Cambridge on May 14, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
For poultry and livestock workers, employers are encouraged to update workplace health and safety plans to address potential H5N1 exposure. They should also conduct hazard assessments to identify high-risk tasks.
Additionally, when employers implement control measures, such as isolating infected animals and ensuring proper hygiene, they can significantly reduce risks.
Ducks with bird flu also known as poultry flu are collected and put in a container in Zarnewanz, Germany on November 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Workers should also be provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to safeguard against contact with infected animals or contaminated materials. By following these recommendations, the spread of H5N1 can be effectively mitigated.
