Does weather help measles outbreaks spread?
GAINES COUNTY, Texas – An ongoing deadly measles outbreak in Texas began in January after a powerful storm brought snow to the Gulf states, and several recent studies have found that weather can contribute to the spread of the measles virus.
According to Texas Health and Human Services, the first cases of measles were reported in school-age children in Gaines County, Texas, on Jan. 23. More than a month later, cases across the Lone Star state have reached nine counties and infected 124 people. Nearly all the cases have been in the South Plains and Panhandle regions. Only five of the patients were vaccinated.
A school-age child in Lubbock who was not vaccinated died this week after testing positive for measles last week, the Texas Department of State Health Services said.
The Texas Tribune reports the virus has concentrated on the Mennonite community in Gaines County, where some of the public schools have the highest vaccine exemption rates in Texas.
Just ahead of the first reported cases in Texas, a historic blizzard ripped across the Gulf Coast, bringing record cold and snow to the region.
While Texas health officials have said this outbreak is tied to unvaccinated communities, several recent studies have looked at how weather might play a role in measles outbreaks.
A 2014 study based on a measles outbreak in Guangzhou, China found that both increased hot or cold temperatures can decrease the number of cases, but that the virus survives better with low relative humidity and becomes a risk factor for possible death from the virus.
Spring's Arrival: Tracking The Season's Early Activity Across Us
"An increased number of measles cases might occur before and after a cold spell," the study authors wrote. "Our findings highlight the need to pay more attention to the weather transformation and improve the immunity of susceptible populations for measles elimination. Catch-up vaccination campaigns should be initiated among young adults."
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with droplets from an infected person or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. According to the CDC, the virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after the infected person is in the area.
Another study published in 2023 also looked at meteorological factors by studying the weather data, including wind, temperature and humidity.
The study looked at cases across 136 counties in Shandong Province, China, a region on the eastern coast with a "warm temperate monsoon climate." Researchers found a tie to measles cases with the season, peaking in March and April.
Meanwhile, other research has found that high wind events that contribute to the long-distance transportation of air pollutants can also raise the local measles virus aerosol level.
Both study authors said more research is needed to understand the ties to weather and measles.Original article source: Does weather help measles outbreaks spread?
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By the numbers Here are the total cases by county: Andrews County: 3 Atascosa County: 1 Bailey County 2 Borden County: 1 Brewster County: 1 Brown County: 1 Carson County: 1 Cochran County : 14 Collin County: 1 Dallam County: 7 Dawson County: 27 Eastland County: 2 Ector County: 11 El Paso County: 57 Erath County: 1 Gaines County: 411 Garza County: 2 Hale County: 5 Hardeman County: 1 Hockley County: 6 Lamar County: 21 Lamb County: 1 Lubbock County: 53 Lynn County: 2 Martin County: 3 McLennan County: 8 Midland County: 5 Parmer County: 5 Potter County: 1 Randall County: 1 Reeves County: 1 Rockwall County: 1 Terry County: 60 Upshur County: 5 Yoakum County: 20 Here are the total cases by age: 0-4 years: 218 cases 5-17 years: 281 cases 18+: 239 cases Pending: 4 cases READ MORE: Measles vaccination rates in Texas: Find your school district. Here is the vaccination status of the patients: Not Vaccinated/unknown status: 705 Vaccinated with one dose: 18 Vaccinated with two or more doses: 19 What's next The Texas Department of State Health Services releases case updates on Tuesdays. There have been other cases reported in Texas, but officials say they were not connected to the outbreak in West Texas. Brazoria County: 1 Collin County: 3 Denton County: 2 Ector County: 1 El Paso County: 2 Fort Bend County: 1 Harris County: 3 Harrison County: 1 Hays County 1 Randall County 2 Reeves County: 1 Rockwall County: 1 Scurry County: 1 Shackleford County: 1 Tarrant County: 4 Travis County: 2 Williamson County: 6 Why you should care Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Illness onset (high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes) begins a week or two after someone is exposed. A few days later, the telltale rash breaks out as flat, red spots on the face and then spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. A person is contagious from about four days before the rash appears to four days after. People with measles should stay home from work or school during that period. Common symptoms of measles include: High fever (as high as 105°F) Cough Runny nose Red and watery eyes Tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth 2-3 days after symptoms begin Rash 3-5 days after other signs of illness. The "measles rash" typically starts at the face and then spreads down to the rest of the body. The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles. Some vaccinated people can occasionally develop measles; however, they generally experience milder symptoms and are less likely to spread the disease to other people. If you think you have measles or have been exposed to someone with measles, isolate yourself from others and call your healthcare provider before arriving to be tested so they can prepare for your arrival without exposing other people to the virus. Measles is extremely contagious and can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. Review your and your child's vaccination history to see if you are up-to-date on your measles vaccines. Additionally, discuss with your provider your vaccination history and any questions about these vaccines. People with confirmed or suspected measles should stay home from school, work, and other group settings until after the fourth day of rash onset. During an outbreak, people without documented immunity from vaccination or previous measles infection should be isolated from anyone with measles to protect those without immunity and control the outbreak. According to the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Rule §97.7, schools and childcare settings shall exclude unimmunized children for at least 21 days after the last date the unimmunized child was exposed to a measles case. The Source Information in this article comes from the Texas Department of State Health Services update on June 6, 2025. Information on measles comes from the Centers for Disease Control.
