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Multiple counties in Texas reported an unusually high number of measles cases during the first two months of 2025. So far, 93 measles patients have been confirmed in Texas.
Recently, central Texas reported its initial case of 2025.
Health authorities notified the Hays County Health Department (HCHD) about the potential for residents to be exposed to someone who tested positive for measles. Confirmed with measles, the Gaines County (western Texas) resident visited San Marcos, Texas, on Friday, February 14, 2025.
HSCD wrote on February 23, 2025, that individuals on the campus of Texas State University (enrollment of 37,000) and those who visited a Twin Peaks Restaurant may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to this individual.
HSCH wrote that the measles virus spreads quickly through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for two hours.
On February 15, 2025, the individual visited The University of Texas at San Antonio Main Campus. The San Antonio exposure sites include the River Walk area, a local restaurant, and a large travel plaza in New Braunfels, which is near San Marcos.
In collaboration with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), their respective local health authorities will notify individuals who may have been exposed to the measles virus.
HCHD stated that on February 23, 2025, DSHS and other local health agencies will work closely to investigate potential contacts. For more information, visit: https://www.hayscountytx.gov/current-public-health-situations.
In addition to this new alert, measles cases have been reported in western Texas (90) and Harris County (2) in 2025.
Since Texas State is located south of the University of Texas at Austin (enrollment of 50,000+) and north of San Antonio, these populations may also be at risk. However, as of February 24, 2025, DSHS has not issued an expanded health alert for these areas.
"As healthcare professionals, we are deeply concerned about the current measles outbreaks. We urge everyone to ensure their vaccinations are current to protect themselves and their communities from this highly contagious disease, V. Yvette Cheeks MSN, RN, NPE-C informed Vax-Before-Travel News.
Cheeks, the owner of The Immunization Clinic in Houston, Texas, added, "Please consult with your healthcare provider if you have any questions or need to schedule a vaccination. "
Furthermore, measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, with ample supply available at most travel clinics and pharmacies in Texas.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation recently formalized a memorandum of understanding to reinforce their shared commitment to improving public health across the Americas.
Announced on February 21, 2025, the memorandum covers various areas of cooperation aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, with a key focus on eliminating cervical cancer. Each year, cervical cancer claims the lives of approximately 40,000 women in the Americas.
PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa emphasized the significance of this collaboration for the region.
“Spain’s support in the fight against cervical cancer and other public health areas is critical for strengthening the health systems. With AECID’s support, we can make progress toward the elimination of this cancer, which disproportionately impacts women in the most vulnerable situations,” said Dr. Barbosa in a press release.
PAHO is leading efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in the Americas, aligning its actions with the World Health Organization's 90-70-90 targets.
These aim for 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15, 70% of women screened using a high-performance test by age 35 and 45, 90% with pre-cancer treatment, and 90% with invasive cancer managed.
In the Americas, the PAHO recommends vaccinating against human papillomavirus (HPV). However, only 48 countries have introduced an HPV vaccine, and coverage rates vary widely.
Few countries have reached 90% HPV vaccination coverage, while others remain below 10%.
The PAHO's Revolving Fund announced on February 7, 2025, that the general availability of the 9-valent HPV vaccine will be easier and more affordable for Latin American countries. Health agencies are debating HPV dosage protocols.
The PAHO stated it is working to close these gaps, ensuring access to safe and affordable vaccines and diagnostic tools through its Regional Revolving Funds.
Over the past two years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued Travel Health Advisories focused on measles outbreaks.
These advisories highlight where there is an active health risk when people visit the highlighted countries.
On February 21, 2025, the CDC reissued a Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions, alert for 57 countries. This CDC list does not integrate the Region of the Americas, with numerous countries reporting 537 measles outbreaks this year.
This is an essential advisory since most measles cases imported into the United States occur in unvaccinated U.S. residents who become infected during international travel.
The CDC recently confirmed 93 measles cases in eight jurisdictions, which may be under-reporting active outbreaks in New Mexico and Texas.
The CDC says to reduce measles cases in the U.S., 'All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants.'
In 2025, MMR vaccinations are offered at most clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a technical brief on encephalitis, a serious, life-threatening neurological condition characterized by brain inflammation.
On February 17, 2025, the WHO stated that different pathogens, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), can cause encephalitis.
Some pathogens, like the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), are spread by mosquitoes and ticks, but vaccination can prevent transmission.
As of 2025, JEV outbreaks are the leading cause of viral encephalitis in twenty-four countries in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions, exposing more than 3 billion people to infection risks.
For example, the WHO reported various JEV cases across Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
Encephalitis affects people across all age groups, has high mortality, and often leads to significant long-term complications (sequelae), including hearing loss, seizures, limb weakness, and difficulties with vision, speech, language, memory, and communication.
Globally, in 2021, encephalitis was the fourth leading cause of neurological health loss in children aged under 5 years and the 13th across all age groups.
"Encephalitis is a growing public health challenge, and by prioritizing it within global and national health agendas and strengthening collaboration, we can reduce its impact and save lives," said Dr Tarun Dua, Head of the Brain Health Unit, WHO, in a press statement.
The WHO technical brief, which forms part of the implementation of the broader Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders, draws attention to the lack of access to essential care, especially in low-and middle-income countries.
While no HSV vaccines are authorized, the U.S. FDA-approved JEV vaccine, IXIARO®, is available at clinics and pharmacies nationwide. According to the U.S. CDC, vaccination is recommended before visiting JEV outbreaks.
After almost two years without reporting a measles case, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) today confirmed 92 measles cases in this year's outbreak.
Since the beginning of 2025, there have been two measles cases in Harris, 57 in Gaines, 20 in Terry, 6 in Dawson, 4 in Yokaum, 1 in Ector, and 1 in Lynn Counties.
Most of these patients are young, unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown.
On February 21, 2025, the DSHS stated, 'Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.'
Nationwide, the U.S. CDC updated its reporting yesterday but only indicated 93 measles cases in 8 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico (9), New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas.
DSHS and the CDC strongly recommend most people get the MMR vaccine to prevent infection and severe disease.
Health ministries worldwide recently met at the WHO Executive Board meeting in Geneva. They expressed serious concern about the increasing transmission of wild poliovirus in Asia's last two endemic countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The total number of polio cases in Afghanistan for 2024 was 25, and Pakistan reported 74 cases in 2024.
These ministers noted that 'extraordinary measures were being taken in response.'
WHO Member States commended the implementation of new emergency operational approaches in both countries.
These approaches include identifying the different operational reasons why children are not being reached, area by area; increasing co-administration of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) alongside oral polio vaccine (OPV); boosting overall immunity levels in children; and improving access to more adequate sanitation infrastructures.
Member States expressed concern about the ongoing variant poliovirus outbreaks (circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses) and urged intensified response to stop these outbreaks by maximizing the impact of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).
This triple-locked polio vaccine has been administered over 1 billion times recently.
Speaking on behalf of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy commented in a media statement, “I assure you, on behalf of our Region and the leaders of both endemic countries, our commitment to eradicating this virus is stronger than ever. We must reach and vaccinate every child and keep up a robust search for poliovirus, to stop further spread."
In Europe, the unusually high number of poliovirus detections has reinforced the urgency of the wake-up call. From September through December 2024, vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 was detected in wastewater systems of 14 cities in five European countries.
As of February 21, 2025, IPV vaccination is recommended for most people in the United States. Furthermore, a booster dose may be advised for international travelers visiting polio outbreak areas.
Dynavax Technologies Corporation today confirmed it continues developing a plague (rF1V) vaccine candidate adjuvanted with CpG 1018® in collaboration with, and fully funded by, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
As of February 20, 2025, based on the results from a randomized, active-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial, Dynavax and the DoD executed a new agreement for approximately $30 million through the first half of 2027 to support additional clinical and manufacturing activities, including a Phase 2 clinical trial expected to initiate in the third quarter of 2025.
As previously announced, Dynavax and the DOD executed an earlier agreement providing approximately $22 million in funding to develop the rF1V vaccine.
According to the U.S. CDC, Plague is a potentially deadly infectious disease caused by bacteria found in fleas and rodents or by handling an infected animal. It is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is possible that Pneumonic plague bacteria could be released intentionally in a biological attack to sicken people.
Since the mid–20th century, plagues in the United States have typically occurred in the rural West. The CDC says cases in the eastern United States are among people who traveled from the west or have laboratory exposure.
More recent plague epidemics have occurred in Africa, Asia, and South America.
