Measles cases in two Dallas-Fort Worth counties linked to West Texas outbreak, state says
Measles cases linked to a West Texas outbreak have now been confirmed in two North Texas counties, marking the virus's continued spread across the state.
State health officials said cases have been identified in Collin and Rockwall counties, four months after the initial cluster was reported in Gaines County, more than 300 miles west of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Five additional measles cases in the D-FW area and one in Denton County have not been linked to the West Texas outbreak.
Latest: 717 cases, 2 children dead
Measles disease outbreak concept design with orange and yellow virus along glowing typography. Measles virus, health, emergency background
/ Getty Images
Since January, Texas has recorded 717 measles cases, primarily in West Texas, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Fewer than 10 cases, or less than 1%, are currently considered infectious.
The outbreak has led to 93 hospitalizations and two deaths among school-aged children, both of whom were unvaccinated and had no known underlying health conditions, DSHS said.
Outbreak spreads beyond West Texas
Meanwhile, 71 cases have been reported in New Mexico and 17 in Oklahoma, according to the agency.
"Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities," DSHS said in Tuesday's release.
According to DSHS, ongoing measles transmission has been reported in the counties of Cochran, Dallam, Dawson, Gaines, Lamar, Lubbock, Terry, and Yoakum. Meanwhile, Garza and Lynn counties have been removed from the active transmission list after 42 days — equivalent to two full incubation periods — without any new infectious cases, the agency said.
The state continues to post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The symptoms of measles
High fever, up to 105°F
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes
Sore throat
Rash: typically appears 3–5 days after initial symptoms, starting on the face and spreading downward
While most people's symptoms improve, about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles will be hospitalized. About 1 out of every 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can lead to brain damage, and up to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected will die, the CDC says.
CBS News Texas will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
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Curious about some of the biggest recalls in cracker history? Take a look at our roundup of the most significant safety scares that involved this popular snack! And if crackers aren't your thing, why not check out our article on some of the biggest chocolate recalls that affected millions. Read more: 6 Nuts To Stop Eating And 8 To Choose Instead Despite their evocative name, oyster crackers don't contain any shellfish. Instead, the small crackers got their name because they were often eaten alongside oyster stews and clam chowders. Today, the wheat-based crackers are still commonly enjoyed with soups and stews, as well as other warm and filling dishes like savory chili. Unfortunately, in February 2025, oyster crackers became the center of a food safety recall when Ohio-based Shearer's Foods pulled them from grocery store shelves due to fears of metal contamination. In total, over 15,000 cases of the crackers were recalled under a range of brand names, including Market Pantry, Great Value, Giant Eagle, and Vista. The products had been shipped to Walmart, Target, and Giant Eagle stores in 24 states. The FDA gave the Shearer's Foods oyster cracker recall a Class II designation, which applies to products that "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote." It's unclear how the stainless steel wire metal fragments ended up in the crackers. TreeHouse Foods specializes in the manufacturing of private label foods and beverages. The company's products include coffee, pretzels, cookies, cheeses, powdered beverages, broths, stocks, and, of course, crackers. In August 2023, TreeHouse Foods' crackers faced negative publicity after fragments of metal were found in Trader Joe's-branded crackers with sunflower and flaxseeds. In total, the recall affected more than 13,000 cases — or close to 200,000 pounds — of the product. Luckily, no injuries were linked to the vegan snack at the time. Trader Joe's isn't new to recalls, with two other product withdrawals taking place just a month before the Multigrain Crackers with sunflower and flaxseeds incident. In July 2023 Trader Joe's recalled its Almond Windmill Cookies and Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies over concerns that the biscuits may contain rocks. The other recall that took place that same month involved Trader Joe's Broccoli Cheddar Soup due to the possibility that it may contain insects. To learn more about the chain's recalls, take a look at our article on the biggest recalls in Trader Joe's history. Featuring a range of cute animal shapes, Publix GreenWise Animal Crackers are a fun snack for both adults and kids. 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