BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – The Texas Department of State Health Services reported the first case of measles in 2025 in Bexar County.
The agency announced the new case in its weekly update published on Tuesday.
In a statement to KSAT, Metro Health Department Director Dr. Claude A. Jacob said it learned of the Bexar County measles case on June 15.
After its investigation, Jacob said Metro Health’s epidemiology team found no known public exposure or current risk to the public.
The measles case was then reported to DSHS, which said Tuesday that it was connected to the West Texas outbreak that began in January.
“Metro Health urges everyone, to stay up to date on vaccinations, remain alert of potential exposure, and take preventive steps to reduce the spread of infectious diseases,” Jacob concluded in his statement to KSAT.
In total, DSHS said 753 measles cases were reported statewide since late January. More than 400 cases (414) have been confirmed in Gaines County.
Ninety-nine people have been hospitalized with the virus this year. Two unvaccinated school-aged children who lived in West Texas outbreak area died of measles, DSHS said.
In April, the state confirmed the first measles case in the San Antonio area. The DSHS reported that an unvaccinated resident who was in their infectious period attended an event at Shearit Yisrael Qahal Yehoshua on April 13.
A measles case that was unrelated to the outbreak was reported in May in Hays County.
Exposure guidance and symptom monitoring
Measles is an airborne illness and can infect anyone, Atascosa County officials said in a news release when its April case was confirmed. Complications can be severe and include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, or, in rare cases, brain inflammation.
Infants and children under five years old, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk, the release said.
Common symptoms for measles include:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red and watery eyes
- A rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward, two to five days after initial symptoms
Vaccination with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles, the release said.
Atascosa County officials released the following guidance for those who may have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms:
- Watch for symptoms, which typically develop seven to 21 days after exposure
- Isolate immediately to prevent spreading the virus to others
- Contact a health care provider before going in to arrange testing
- Receiving a measles vaccine within three days or immunoglobulin (IG) within six days of exposure can prevent illness; contact a health care provider for more information
For more information on measles, San Antonio residents can call 311 or click here.
More recent measles coverage on KSAT: