Measles Outbreak SPOTREP #2

March 13, 2025  /  TLP:CLEAR

Healthcare Ready is MONITORING for this event. We are monitoring potential concerns for supply chain disruptions and impacts on healthcare services on our Alert Hub.

Contents

• Situation Overview
• Potential Healthcare and Supply Chain Impacts
• Pediatric Resources

*Updates in bold

Situation Overview

• As of March 13, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported that 223 cases of measles have been identified in Texas – with 29 of those patients having been hospitalized.
  • There has been one fatality of an unvaccinated child who had measles.
  • 156 cases were reported in Gaines County, Texas.
  • 174 cases have impacted children between the ages of 0 and 17 years old.
• CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers were sent to Texas to provide support to local health officials over the next few weeks. Their goal is to engage with communities to understand concerns, provide culturally competent education, and make vaccines readily available for those who want them.
• As of March 13, the New Mexico Department of Health reported that 33 cases of measles have been identified in New Mexico – with one patient being hospitalized.
  • There has been one fatality of an unvaccinated adult who tested positive for measles. 
  • 27 patients were not vaccinated.
  • 18 patients were over the age of 18.
• Due to the highly contagious nature of measles, the CDC expects the outbreak to spread and potentially worsen with the upcoming spring and summer travel season.
  • Two cases in Oklahoma have been reported. However, the state health department stated that there is no public health threat associated with those cases as the individuals took proper precautions by excluding themselves from public settings during their contagious period.

Potential Healthcare and Supply Chain Impacts

• The CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory that offered guidance for prevention and monitoring against the measles outbreak. It included recommendations for healthcare professionals, state and local health departments, and domestic travelers to outbreak areas.
  • Healthcare professionals can ensure patients are up to date on MMR vaccine per ACIP’s recommendations and isolate patients with suspected measles immediately.
  • State and local health departments should establish case reporting within hospitals and report measles cases immediately to CDC.
  • Travelers should talk to their doctor about the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before traveling because it is the most important mitigation tactic for preventing measles. It is recommended that all US residents be up to date on their MMR vaccinations before traveling internationally.
  • More information on the measles outbreak and specific recommendations can be found here.
• If this outbreak escalates, it could lead to increased hospitalizations, increased demand for vaccines, and potential delays in non-measles-related care due to the need for hospitals to reallocate resources and prioritize outbreak response.
  • On March 8, some Texas cities reported seeing shortages for the MMR vaccine. This was likely due to the spike in demand however it has been reported that additional shipments have arrived to supplement that demand.
• States should continue to monitor this situation as measles can spread very rapidly. They should monitor and forecast supply needs, strengthen and highlight vaccination distribution plans, and enhance infection control protocols for hospital workers and at-risk populations.

Pediatric Resources

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