Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has reported its first measles case for 2025, involving a fully vaccinated woman in her mid-20s. According to officials, she was contagious from May 30 to June 7, 2025.
DCHHS has identified locations where individuals may have been exposed during this period. These include:
– **Lemma Coffee Plano**
1023 E 15th St, Plano, TX 75074
May 31, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon.
– **First Baptist Plano**
3665 W President George Bush Hwy, Plano, TX 75075
June 1, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The woman is currently receiving medical care, and public health officials are working diligently to contact potential exposure candidates. DCHHS confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, particularly since the source of her measles exposure is not yet known.
Dr. Philip Huang, Director at DCHHS, emphasized the department’s commitment to community health: “Our priority is to protect the health and well-being of all Dallas County residents. We are actively investigating this case and working to identify any individuals who may have been exposed. The best way to protect yourself from measles is to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are required to receive full protection.”
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can linger in the air for up to two hours. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that up to 90% of susceptible individuals exposed to the virus will contract it. Although most children recover from measles, the disease can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and even death.
The MMR vaccine is recognized as safe and effective at preventing measles. It is recommended for children aged 12 to 15 months, with a second dose administered between ages 4 and 6. Furthermore, it is required for students before enrolling in public kindergarten.
Before the introduction of the vaccination in 1963, the U.S. experienced between 3 million and 4 million measles cases annually. In contrast, fewer than 200 cases are now reported in an average year. Despite persistent disinformation, numerous studies have shown no connection between the vaccine and autism.
High vaccination rates can create herd immunity, impeding the spread of diseases like measles. Unfortunately, childhood vaccination rates have declined since the pandemic, with a rise in parents seeking religious or personal exemptions from required vaccinations.
In 2024, there was an increase in measles cases nationwide, including an outbreak in Chicago that affected over 60 individuals. Notably, Gaines County has among the highest rates in Texas of school-aged children opting out of at least one required vaccine, reaching nearly 14% during the 2023-24 school year. This number may be even higher, as it excludes homeschooled children whose data is not reported.
In response, health authorities are conducting vaccination clinics across Texas and collaborating with schools to promote the importance of vaccinations and provide immunizations.