Measles Update

As of May 28, 2025, Arkansas has reported seven confirmed measles cases—the state's first since 2018. Six of these cases are in Faulkner County, and one is in Saline County. Six of the cases involve children under 18, while one is an adult. 

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has identified locations where individuals may have been exposed to measles. Notably, an unvaccinated child in Faulkner County, who had not traveled outside the state, indicates the first case of community spread in Arkansas this year. During the infectious period, this individual visited:4029tv.comthe-sun.com+4arkansasadvocate.com+4healthy.arkansas.gov+4

• Conway Regional Greenbrier Family Medicine on April 18 (10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.) and April 21 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.)

• Irby Dance Studio in Conway on April 23 (5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.)4029tv.com+1arkansasadvocate.com+1

If you were at these locations during the specified times and develop symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, or rash, contact your healthcare provider immediately. It's crucial to call ahead before visiting any medical facility to prevent potential further exposure. axios.com+3healthy.arkansas.gov+3arkansasadvocate.com+3

The ADH recommends that individuals in Faulkner County and neighboring counties—including Cleburne, Conway, Lonoke, Perry, Pulaski, Van Buren, and White—ensure they are up to date with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. The vaccine is 97% effective after two doses. 

For the latest information and updates, visit the Arkansas Department of Health's measles page.

As of early June 2025, Louisiana has reported two confirmed measles cases—both in the Greater New Orleans area.

Case Details

• First Case: Announced in April, this involved an unvaccinated individual likely exposed through international travel. The patient received treatment at a Region 1 hospital and remained in isolation until no longer infectious. ldh.la.gov+1nypost.com+1

• Second Case: Discovered through contact tracing efforts, this case was identified after the individual was no longer infectious. The vaccination status of this patient has not been disclosed. wdsu.com+1ldh.la.gov+1

In 2024, Louisiana reported three travel-associated measles cases, all in the New Orleans area. wdsu.com+1ldh.la.gov+1

Public Health Response

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is actively conducting contact tracing and notifying individuals who may have been exposed. Health officials emphasize the importance of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses.

It's noteworthy that earlier this year, the LDH announced it would cease promoting mass vaccination campaigns, including media outreach and health fairs. This decision has raised concerns among public health experts about potential declines in vaccination rates. theguardian.com

Recommendations

If you reside in or have recently visited the New Orleans area and are unsure of your vaccination status, consider the following steps:

• Check Vaccination Records: Ensure you have received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

• Monitor for Symptoms: Be vigilant for signs such as high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward.en.wikipedia.org+2the-sun.com+2ldh.la.gov+2

• Seek Medical Advice: If symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider promptly. It's advisable to call ahead before visiting a medical facility to prevent potential exposure to others.

For the latest updates and more information, visit the Louisiana Department of Health's official website.

As of early June 2025, Oklahoma has reported 15 measles cases—12 confirmed and 3 probable—amid a broader outbreak affecting the southwestern United States. Most cases are concentrated in northeastern Oklahoma and are linked to unvaccinated individuals. oklahoma.gov

Exposure Locations

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has identified the following public exposure site:newson6.com+3oklahoma.gov+3oklahomavoice.com+3

• Walmart Supercenter
  2600 US-64, Guymon, OK 73942
  Date: May 28, 2025
  Time: 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.oklahoma.gov

Individuals who visited this location during the specified time and are unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status should contact the OSDH for guidance. oklahoma.gov+1facebook.com+1

Outbreak Context

The outbreak in Oklahoma is part of a larger regional surge, with significant case numbers reported in Texas and New Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that 82% of the 800 U.S. measles cases reported between January 1 and April 17, 2025, are associated with outbreaks in close-knit communities with low vaccination coverage in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. ouhealth.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1cdc.gov

Vaccination Efforts

In response to the outbreak, Oklahoma has seen a 25% increase in MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations compared to the same period in 2024. The MMR vaccine is 97% effective after two doses. oklahomavoice.com

Recommendations

If you reside in or have recently visited Oklahoma and are unsure of your vaccination status, consider the following steps:

• Check Vaccination Records: Ensure you have received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

• Monitor for Symptoms: Be vigilant for signs such as high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward.

• Seek Medical Advice: If symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider promptly. It's advisable to call ahead before visiting a medical facility to prevent potential exposure to others.

For the latest updates and more information, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health's measles page.oklahomavoice.com+1oklahoma.gov+1

Texas Measles Update

As of June 4, 2025, Texas is experiencing its most significant measles outbreak in over 30 years, with 742 confirmed cases reported since late January. The outbreak has resulted in 94 hospitalizations and two fatalities, both involving unvaccinated school-aged children without underlying health conditions .fox4news.com+2dshs.texas.gov+2dshs.state.tx.us+2nypost.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1

Outbreak Epicenter and Spread

The epicenter of the outbreak is Gaines County, which accounts for more than half of the state's cases, with 411 confirmed infections. Other affected counties include Cochran, Dawson, Lubbock, Terry, and Yoakum . The outbreak has also extended beyond West Texas, with 33 cases reported in other parts of the state, including Williamson County, where six cases have been identified, some linked to initial infections in Leander .nypost.com+7fox4news.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7statesman.com

Vaccination Rates and Contributing Factors

The outbreak is largely attributed to declining vaccination rates. A study by Johns Hopkins University found that routine childhood measles vaccination rates have declined in nearly 80% of over 2,000 U.S. counties analyzed between the school years of 2017–2020 and 2022–2024. In Texas, certain counties like Gaines have significant outbreaks despite some post-pandemic vaccination rate increases that still fall below the 95% threshold necessary for herd immunity .en.wikipedia.org+3apnews.com+3theguardian.com+3apnews.com

Public Health Response

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is actively working with local health departments to investigate and respond to the outbreak. However, efforts have been hampered by funding challenges. Federal budget cuts have led to the cancellation of more than 50 planned measles vaccination clinics in Dallas and layoffs of public health workers, impacting the state's ability to contain the outbreak effectively .dshs.texas.govapnews.comchron.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1

Recommendations

Health officials strongly recommend the following actions:

• Vaccination: Ensure you and your family members are up to date with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses.

• Monitor for Symptoms: Be vigilant for signs such as high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward.

• Seek Medical Advice: If symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider promptly. It's advisable to call ahead before visiting a medical facility to prevent potential exposure to others.

For the latest updates and more information, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services measles page.