After months of relentless effort, Texas health officials have declared the end of the measles outbreak that gripped West Texas, one of the largest and deadliest in the United States in decades. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced on Monday that it has been more than 42 days—two full measles incubation periods since the last reported case in affected counties, meeting the threshold to officially declare the outbreak over.The scale of the outbreak was sobering: at least 762 confirmed cases since late January, nearly 100 hospitalizations, and two school-aged children in Texas who lost their lives the first measles deaths in the U.S. since 2015.“This point marks the result of tireless work from public health professionals across the state,” said Dr. Jennifer Shuford, commissioner of DSHS. “We contained one of the most contagious viruses through testing, vaccination, disease monitoring, and public education. Many health care professionals confronted measles cases in person for the very first time in their careers.”This outbreak wasn’t just another cluster of cases. It marked a turning point in the nation’s struggle to maintain measles elimination status, which the U.S. first achieved in 2000.Cases tied to the Texas outbreak were also reported in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and possibly Kansas. New Mexico confirmed 100 cases, including one death, and still considers its outbreak ongoing. Nationwide, more than 1,350 measles cases have been reported this year alone—the highest number in more than three decades, accounting for over half of the cases since elimination was declared.What made Texas particularly vulnerable? Vaccination gaps. The majority of cases came from in and around Gaines County, where measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rates among kindergartners rank among the lowest in the state. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than 90% of cases nationwide were in unvaccinated individuals. Only 8% were in people with at least one MMR dose.The outbreak’s origins were initially linked to a Mennonite community in West Texas, underscoring how pockets of low vaccination coverage can act as a spark for widespread transmission.How Did The Outbreak Finally End?Measles is considered one of the most contagious viruses known—each infected person can transmit it to up to 18 others in unvaccinated populations. Declaring an outbreak “over” requires more than just a lull in cases. Health officials wait through at least two incubation periods (21 days each) without new reports, to ensure that hidden chains of transmission have truly been cut off.This timeline makes Monday’s announcement a milestone, but officials emphasize it does not mean measles is gone for good. “The end of this outbreak does not mean the threat of measles is over,” the Texas health department said. “With ongoing outbreaks in North America and worldwide, more cases are likely this year in Texas.”Warning Signs Across the CountryTexas may be closing this chapter, but measles remains a national and global threat. Colorado recently reported a new case in Grand Junction—an unvaccinated adult with no travel history, suggesting local spread. This brings Colorado’s case total for 2025 to 20, compared with just five cases over the entire previous decade.In New Jersey, state health officials issued a warning after a measles-infected traveler passed through Newark International Airport on July 29 and 30. Six cases have been confirmed there so far this year.Such warnings are becoming increasingly common. At least 41 U.S. states have reported measles cases in 2025. The troubling backdrop is falling vaccination coverage: more incoming kindergartners are entering school with exemptions, most often for personal or religious reasons. The CDC confirms that last school year saw a record-high share of vaccine exemptions among children starting school.Why Vaccination Is Still The Deciding Factor?Measles is not only highly contagious—it is also highly preventable. The MMR vaccine offers about 97% protection after two doses. The problem is not the science; it’s coverage.Experts note that communities require at least 95% vaccination rates to maintain “herd immunity,” the collective protection that prevents outbreaks from taking hold. Pockets of low coverage, whether due to misinformation, hesitancy, or lack of access, create cracks in that shield.The West Texas outbreak is a clear example of how quickly measles can spread when those cracks widen. It also serves as a warning that elimination status is not invincibility.The end of the outbreak in Texas reflects months of coordinated effort- surveillance, lab testing, rapid vaccination campaigns, and public education. But the larger lesson is about prevention.“This outbreak shows what happens when vaccination rates slip,” said Dr. Shuford. “The best defense against measles is ensuring every eligible child and adult is protected.”The virus has shown its ability to exploit vulnerabilities, whether in rural counties with low coverage or major travel hubs like airports. In an era of global travel, measles anywhere is a threat everywhere.While Texas celebrates the end of this outbreak, the work is far from finished. Public health leaders continue to stress the importance of routine vaccination not just for measles but for all vaccine-preventable diseases.