Lubbock health officials: 146 measles cases across West Texas; two confirmed in Lubbock County and one school‑age death reported

Lubbock — Lubbock Public Health Director Catherine Wells and local health authority Dr. Ron Cook said the regional measles outbreak has reached 146 confirmed cases across West Texas and into New Mexico, with two confirmed cases in Lubbock County and the death this week of a school‑aged child who was a resident of another county. “As of this morning, we're announcing that we've had 146 cases associated with this outbreak that is covering all of West Texas and even into New Mexico now. We have 2 confirmed cases in Lubbock County,” Wells said.

The officials held the briefing to explain the clinical presentation of measles, who is at risk and how local public‑health providers are responding. “Measles is highly, highly contagious,” Wells said, adding that most people in the area are vaccinated. Dr. Ron Cook, with Texas Tech Health Science Center and serving as the local health authority, described typical symptoms and the infectious period: “You are infectious from 4 days before that rash starts until 4 days after the rash begins…So you're infectious during that time, and so that's when we want you to make sure that you stay home.”

Why it matters: measles can cause severe complications in some patients, including pneumonia, encephalitis and, rarely, fatal delayed brain disease. Cook warned that there is no antiviral treatment specific to measles and that care is supportive. He said severe cases can require hospitalization for dehydration, low oxygen or ventilator support and that some hospitalized patients later receive antibiotics for secondary bacterial pneumonia.

Clinical and vaccine guidance given at the briefing included the following specifics from officials: the incubation period is about 7 to 14 days; early prodromal signs include cough, coryza (runny nose) and conjunctivitis with high fever; the characteristic rash typically starts on the head and spreads downward; and the infectious window spans roughly 4 days before through 4 days after rash onset. Cook also summarized rare but serious complications: encephalitis occurs in roughly 1 in 1,000 cases, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis can appear years later.

On vaccination, officials reiterated standard MMR guidance and post‑exposure options. Cook: “The first dose of vaccine is at…12 to 15 months. The second dose of vaccine is at 4 to 6 years.” He said a single MMR dose yields about 93% protection after a couple of weeks and two doses about 98%. For infants aged 6–11 months who have been exposed, Wells and Cook said an early MMR dose may be given, but that such infants still require the routine two doses after age 12 months (separated by at least 28 days) to be fully vaccinated. For infants under 6 months, officials said immunoglobulin can be offered after exposure.

Officials addressed common public concerns and treatments. Cook said vitamin A has been studied for severely ill, acutely ill patients and should be used under hospital guidance because high doses can be toxic. He explicitly discouraged “measles parties,” calling them “a foolish idea.” Wells and Cook also noted that people born before 1957 are likely to have natural immunity and that those unsure of their status can either receive another MMR dose or have a blood titer checked by a provider.

Local response and outreach: Wells said vaccination and testing access are being expanded in affected rural counties in partnership with state health authorities. Local clinics reported increased uptake: Wells noted a recent clinic vaccinated more than 50 children in one day, including 11 children who previously held exemptions. Case counts for the multi‑jurisdictional outbreak will be posted Tuesdays and Fridays as health departments consolidate data at the state level, Wells said. The county is offering free vaccines and testing in high‑case communities, and officials urged people with symptoms or exposures to call their primary care provider before visiting a clinic so waiting rooms are not exposed.

Officials also described outreach in multiple languages and to specific communities. Wells said the department is distributing materials in English, Spanish and Low German to reach affected groups, including Mennonite communities in the region.

No new formal orders or mandates were announced at the briefing. Wells said local authorities prefer community engagement, free vaccination and trusted messengers rather than forced vaccination, while noting quarantine and isolation can be ordered for specific exposures when required by public‑health rules. She added that requests for state or federal resources flow through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The briefing closed with contact information for media updates and outreach: reporters were given sign‑up emails provided by the city’s communications office for ongoing notices about measles in the area. “If anybody on this Zoom right now would like to request to be added to our media list, you can email lnoblesmylovic.us or ladamsmylovic.us, and we will get you added to our media list for updates regarding anything related to measles,” the moderator said.

Ending: Officials emphasized vaccination as the primary defense, urged people with symptoms or exposures to avoid waiting rooms and contact providers by phone, and said they will continue to update case counts on the regular schedule as state partners consolidate multi‑county data.