The New York City doc warned against a practice that’s rumored to have picked up in Texas, where nearly 200 cases of measles have been confirmed so far this year.

As measles outbreaks emerge nationwide, New York City has two confirmed cases this year. Here’s what you need to know about the disease — from how contagious it is to how you can protect yourself from it.

Measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico now have more than 250 cases total. Two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes.

The New York State Department of Health has reported the first case of measles in 2025 outside of New York City, marking the third case in the state this year.

New York and New Jersey have issued advisories urging residents to be alert for symptoms and to check their vaccination status. Symptoms can include a rash, fever, cough and eye inflammation, and the virus can sometimes cause pneumonia or brain swelling, both of which can be deadly.

As the Texas measles outbreak grows and New York reports its second case, prior outbreaks offer clues about how fast the virus spreads, how it stops.

In a recent interview, the health secretary also suggested that the measles vaccine had harmed children in West Texas, center of an outbreak.