Health

Texas is one of about a dozen states that won't be participating in a federal program that provides families with $120 per eligible child to buy groceries while school is out.

The measles outbreak in rural Texas has exposed how hospital buildings are ill-equipped. Meanwhile, long distances between providers makes testing people and transporting samples difficult.

One Lubbock Firefighter was injured, and about 25 residents were displaced after an apartment fire early Sunday. According to Lubbock Fire Rescue, the Fire Marshal's Office is investigating, and the American Red Cross is assisting residents. KTTZ's Bishop Van Buren has more on how President Trump's tariff exchange with Canada could affect some West Texas farmers. And Texas flu and RSV cases are down, according to state health officials.

Vaccination eliminated measles from the U.S. 25 years ago. But it can still spread in pockets where vaccination rates are low, like the west Texas county with a current outbreak. Here's how fast.

The first death in relation to the ongoing measles outbreak in West Texas has been confirmed by local and state health officials. The patient was an unvaccinated school-aged child, hospitalized in Lubbock last week.

The outbreak is primarily affecting West Texas, but officials in San Antonio, New Braunfels and San Marcos are monitoring cases after an infected person recently visited the area, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The largest measles outbreak in decades has reached San Antonio and San Marcos. Officials say an individual who tested positive for the virus in West Texas traveled to two major universities and one of the nation's busiest tourist attractions — the San Antonio River Walk.

Health officials say measles cases in West Texas have more than doubled since last week, with at least 58 confirmed cases and 13 hospitalizations. Several counties have begun vaccination drives.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has described the biannual immunization conference as a "vital platform" that in the past drew strong participation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Updated data and information from public health officials on confirmed measles cases in the region.