Report on the Measles Outbreak in Texas and New Mexico and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A significant measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico presents a direct challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being. This report details the status of the outbreak as of March 7, 2025, and outlines strategic recommendations for stakeholders. The response to this outbreak is a critical test of public health infrastructure and its capacity to meet global health targets, particularly SDG 3.3, which aims to end the epidemics of communicable diseases by 2030. As of the reporting date, 208 confirmed cases and two fatalities have been recorded across both states, underscoring the urgent need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral response rooted in the principles of sustainable development.

Outbreak Background and Alignment with SDG 3

The current measles situation highlights vulnerabilities in public health systems that threaten progress towards universal health coverage (SDG 3.8). Measles, a highly contagious viral illness, can lead to severe complications and death, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly unvaccinated children. This disparity directly contravenes SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Current Status (as of March 6, 2025)

• Total U.S. Cases (2025): 222 cases across twelve jurisdictions.
• Outbreak Epicenter: 201 of the total cases (91%) are concentrated in Texas and New Mexico.
• Vaccination Status: A majority of cases are among children who have not received the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• Outbreak Concentration: 93% of all cases in 2025 are associated with defined outbreaks, indicating rapid community transmission.

The primary tool for combating this outbreak and ensuring progress on SDG 3 is the MMR vaccine. Robust immunization programs are a cornerstone of resilient health systems and a key indicator for SDG 3.b, which calls for supporting the research, development, and universal access to affordable vaccines and medicines.

Strategic Recommendations for Stakeholders

Achieving the SDGs requires a collaborative effort. The following recommendations are aligned with building strong institutions (SDG 16), fostering partnerships (SDG 17), and ensuring quality education (SDG 4) to support public health outcomes.

Recommendations for Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals are on the front lines of safeguarding community health and are essential partners in achieving SDG 3. Their actions can directly contribute to ending this preventable epidemic.

1. Promote Universal Vaccine Coverage (SDG 3.8):
   • Ensure all patients, especially those planning international travel, are current on MMR vaccinations per national guidelines.
   • Administer early and additional doses for residents in outbreak areas as recommended by state health authorities, focusing on infants, children, and at-risk adults.
2. Strengthen Disease Surveillance and Response (SDG 3.3):
   • Maintain a high index of suspicion for measles in patients presenting with febrile rash illness, especially with a history of travel or exposure.
   • Immediately implement isolation protocols for suspected cases to prevent transmission within healthcare settings, thereby protecting community health.
   • Notify public health authorities immediately to facilitate a rapid and coordinated response.
   • Utilize recommended laboratory testing to confirm diagnoses swiftly.
3. Provide Quality Clinical Management:
   • Administer post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to eligible close contacts to mitigate spread.
   • Provide supportive care, including Vitamin A for children as recommended, to manage symptoms and prevent severe complications.

Recommendations for State and Local Health Departments

Effective public health institutions are the bedrock of SDG 16. Health departments must lead a robust and equitable response that reinforces community trust and resilience.

• Enhance Institutional Capacity (SDG 16.6): Immediately report all suspected cases to the CDC to support national surveillance efforts.
• Foster Partnerships (SDG 17): Establish clear reporting protocols with local hospitals and healthcare providers.
• Conduct Active Surveillance: Proactively investigate cases, trace contacts, and identify locations of potential exposure to interrupt transmission chains.
• Promote Health Equity and Education (SDG 10 & SDG 4): Develop and deploy enhanced outreach and communication strategies for under-vaccinated communities, using trusted messengers to build vaccine confidence and ensure no one is left behind.
• Utilize Data for Action: Employ syndromic surveillance systems to monitor healthcare-seeking behaviors related to febrile rash illness, allowing for data-driven public health interventions.

Recommendations for Travelers and the Public

Individual actions are crucial for global health security. Citizens can contribute to SDG 3 by taking preventive measures, especially in the context of domestic and international travel.

• Consult with a Healthcare Provider: Discuss MMR vaccination status before traveling to outbreak areas or internationally. Achieving high vaccination rates is a collective responsibility.
• Stay Informed: Check CDC travel health notices and destination-specific advisories before departure.
• Practice Post-Travel Vigilance: Monitor for symptoms for three weeks after returning from an affected area. If symptoms develop, contact a healthcare provider immediately, informing them of recent travel to facilitate a prompt diagnosis and prevent further spread.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary SDG addressed in the article is:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The entire article focuses on a public health crisis—a measles outbreak. It discusses the spread of a communicable disease, mortality resulting from it, preventive measures like vaccination, and the response of public health systems. These are all central themes of SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s discussion of the measles outbreak, several targets under SDG 3 are relevant:

1. Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.

   The article states that “Most of the 222 cases are among children who had not received the MMR vaccine” and reports that “two deaths have been reported.” Since measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, deaths from it, especially among children, are considered preventable. The focus on vaccinating infants and children directly supports this target.

2. Target 3.3: End the epidemics of… communicable diseases.

   The article is a health advisory about a “measles outbreak” in Texas and New Mexico. Measles is a highly communicable disease, and the article’s purpose is to provide guidance to “preventing the spread of measles” and combat the outbreak, which directly aligns with the goal of ending epidemics of such diseases.

3. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including… access to… safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

   The article repeatedly emphasizes that “Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination remains the most important tool for preventing measles.” It provides detailed recommendations for healthcare professionals to “Ensure all patients… are up to date on MMR vaccine,” including infants, children, adults, and international travelers. This highlights the importance of ensuring access to essential vaccines for all, a key component of universal health coverage.

4. Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable… diseases… provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines.

   While the article doesn’t discuss the R&D of the MMR vaccine, its core message is about providing access to this existing, effective vaccine to combat a communicable disease. The detailed guidance on vaccination schedules for different populations underscores the implementation aspect of this target.

5. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

   The document itself, a “Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory” from the CDC, is a tool for early warning and risk management. It calls on health departments to “Report measles immediately (within 24 hours) to CDC” through the “National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS)” and to “Conduct active surveillance for any additional cases.” This demonstrates a system designed to strengthen capacity for managing national health risks.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several explicit and implicit indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Incidence of Measles

  The article provides specific numbers that track the incidence of the disease, such as “208 confirmed cases associated with this outbreak” and a total of “222 measles cases… reported by twelve U.S. jurisdictions this year.” This is a direct indicator for Target 3.3.

• Mortality Rate

  The mention of “two deaths have been reported” provides a direct measure of mortality from a preventable disease, which is a key indicator for Target 3.2.

• Vaccination Coverage

  The article implies this indicator by stating, “Most of the 222 cases are among children who had not received the MMR vaccine.” The proportion of the population that has received one or two doses of the MMR vaccine is a critical indicator for Targets 3.8 and 3.b.

• Vaccine Efficacy

  The article notes that “Two doses of MMR vaccine provide better protection (97%) against measles than one dose (93%),” which is a measure of the effectiveness of the intervention.

• Timeliness of Health Risk Reporting

  The recommendation for health departments to “Report measles immediately (within 24 hours) to CDC” serves as an indicator for the effectiveness of the early warning system described in Target 3.d.

• Surveillance System Functionality

  The mention of using the “National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS)” and “state-based syndromic surveillance” points to the existence and use of systems that are indicators of a country’s capacity to manage health risks (Target 3.d).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cdc.gov