Measles outbreak 2025: Possible exposure reported at 3 Plano stores, Collin County officials say

PLANO, Texas - Health officials in Collin County are warning the public about potential exposure to measles after a person who visited several stores in Plano last week tested positive for the virus.

Possible measles exposure in Collin County

What's new:

According to the Collin County Health Department, the individual shopped at the following locations:

• Walmart – 6001 N. Central Expressway in Plano (April 10 and 11)
• Ross – 3300 N. Central Expressway in Plano (April 11)
• Dollar Tree – 2404 K Ave. in Plano (April 11)

Officials urge anyone who is unvaccinated or has a weakened immune system to monitor for symptoms through Sunday.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is expected to provide an update on measles cases later today. Updates are released every Tuesday and Friday.

Texas measles outbreak update

What we know:

Since late January, Texas has confirmed 597 measles cases. The cases have increased by 36 since Tuesday, when another North Texas case was reported in Rockwall County.

The majority of the cases are in Gaines County in West Texas wher the measles outbreak began.

Two unvaccinated school-aged children from the Lubbock area have died. 

What is measles?

Why you should care:

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread through direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne transmission when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Symptoms typically begin 7 to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A few days later, a rash develops — starting on the face and spreading down the body.

An infected person is contagious from about four days before the rash appears until four days after. Health officials advise those infected to stay home from work or school during that period.

Measles is considered one of the most contagious viruses in the world, especially among people who are not vaccinated.

What they're saying:

"This infection is so contagious we need to really make sure we identify them soon so we can isolate them," said Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno with Children's Health Plano.

She emphasized the importance of the MMR vaccine.

"DFW is not in the outbreak area. Of course, we have it close, but we are not in outbreak activity locally. So this is the time that you and your family are immune. And that everybody gets the vaccine," Dr. Garcia Carreno said. "Measles is very uncommon in vaccinated people."

Vaccination status of confirmed cases

Dig deeper:

• Not vaccinated/unknown: 550
• Vaccinated with one dose: 4
• Vaccinated with two or more doses: 7

Measles symptoms

Common measles symptoms include:

• High fever (up to 105 degrees)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Tiny white spots inside the mouth (2–3 days after symptoms begin)
• Rash (3–5 days after other symptoms begin)

How to prevent measles

What you can do:

The best protection against measles is vaccination. Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are highly effective at preventing the disease.

While it’s possible for vaccinated people to contract measles, their symptoms are typically milder, and they are less likely to spread the virus to others.

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