There’s news of the first death from measles, a child, in West Texas and here in North Texas — the first confirmed case. This patient is an adult from Rockwall County. Sophia Beausoleil has the updates.
Rockwall County said a resident who traveled overseas tested positive for measles and was hospitalized. On Wednesday afternoon, the Rockwall County Commissioners Court released a statement on social media alerting the community.
The Texas Department of State Health Services said the person is an unvaccinated adult who traveled to Asia. They do not believe this case is related to the measles outbreak in West Texas.
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WATCH HEREThe state doesn't believe the individual was contagious while in transit or visited public places while contagious.
There is no timeline of the person's travel or when they became ill, but Rockwall County said it learned Tuesday night about the positive test.
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Jarod Rosson, the Emergency Management Coordinator for Rockwall County, said an epidemiologist reached out to those who had been in contact with the person, including some first responders like firefighters and EMS.
"Some first responders have been in contact with this person, and we've contacted each of them individually through their department to make sure they have the information that they need," explained Rosson.
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It's unclear how the patient is doing or what city they're from. The county said it can't release more details for privacy reasons.
"The message at this time, especially since it's an isolated case, we don’t expect this to become an outbreak like what we're seeing in Gaines County, is to take the precautions they feel are necessary—whether that’s vaccination or standard precautions for any communicable diseases, such as washing your hands, staying home if you're sick," said Rosson.
Rockwall Independent School District said it is aware of the adult measles case in the county. At this time, there are no reported cases within the schools, according to RISD.
The measles outbreak in West Texas has increased to 124 cases, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Early Wednesday, a child who was not vaccinated was reported to have died from measles in West Texas, the first death in an outbreak that began late last month and the first from measles in the U.S. since 2015.
According to health officials, early warning signs and symptoms include:
- Fever: Often high (may exceed 104°F).
- Cough: One of the earliest indicators, alongside a runny nose and sneezing.
- Runny Nose (Coryza): Nasal congestion and discharge are common.
- Red or Irritated Eyes (Conjunctivitis): Eyes may become sensitive to light.
- Koplik Spots: Small white spots that may appear inside the cheeks or on the tongue, usually before the rash.
- Rash: Typically appears 3-5 days after the initial symptoms, beginning on the face and spreading downward to the rest of the body.
Health officials went on to say that anyone, especially unvaccinated individuals, pregnant persons, young children not yet eligible for vaccination, or those with compromised immune systems—should be particularly vigilant.
The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed to NBC 5 that the patient was unvaccinated and recently traveled internationally. "Travel was to Asia, but transit did not occur while they were contagious," a DSHS spokesperson said in an email to NBC 5, adding it doesn’t appear the individual visited public places while they were contagious.
What is measles?
Measles is a respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to two hours. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to nine out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed.
Most kids will recover from measles if they get it, but infection can lead to dangerous complications like pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and death.
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes, the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing measles infection and severe cases of the disease.
The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old, and the second for children between 4 and 6 years old. The vaccine series is required for kids before kindergarten in public schools nationwide.
Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, the U.S. saw some 3 million to 4 million cases per year. Now, there are usually fewer than 200 in a normal year.
There is no link between the vaccine and autism, despite a now-discredited study and health disinformation.
Why do vaccination rates matter?
In communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities. This is called “herd immunity.”
But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.
The U.S. saw a rise in measles cases in 2024, including an outbreak in Chicago that sickened more than 60. Five years earlier, measles cases were the worst in almost three decades in 2019.
Gaines County has one of the highest rates in Texas of school-aged children who opt out of at least one required vaccine, with nearly 14% of K-12 children in the 2023-24 school year. Health officials said that number is likely higher because it doesn’t include many children who are homeschooled and whose data would not be reported.
What are public health officials doing to stop the spread?
Health workers are hosting regular vaccination clinics and screening efforts in Texas, as well as working with schools to educate people about the importance of vaccination and offering shots.
