Dallas County Opens $52M Public Health Lab Near Medical District as Texas Measles Activity Continues
Dallas, TX – March 10, 2026 – Dallas County has opened a $52 million public health laboratory near the Medical District, boosting outbreak response capacity.
Dallas County has opened a new $52 million public health laboratory near the city’s Medical District, a move officials say will strengthen local outbreak response and disease surveillance capacity.
New Lab Positioned for Regional Outbreak Response
The facility, located minutes from Parkland Hospital and UT Southwestern Medical Center, is designed to improve detection and containment of communicable diseases across Dallas County and surrounding areas.
County officials said the laboratory will support faster identification of infectious diseases and help reduce spread in schools, long-term care facilities, and neighborhoods.
Construction began in December 2023, and Dallas County Health and Human Services moved into the building in January 2026 after roughly 25 months of development.
The lab is also intended to serve as a coordination hub during public health emergencies, linking local hospitals and healthcare institutions during outbreaks or other large-scale health events.
Texas Measles Activity Draws Ongoing Attention
The opening comes as Texas continues to see measles activity in parts of the state. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth reported March 4 that federal immigration officials confirmed a measles outbreak at a large detention facility in Texas, with state health authorities verifying infections earlier this month.
Health officials in Lubbock also held a press conference following confirmation of a death related to the current measles outbreak, underscoring the seriousness of the virus in affected regions.
While those cases are outside Dallas County, public health infrastructure such as the new county laboratory plays a role in monitoring and responding to highly contagious diseases that can spread across regions.
What Residents Should Know
Dallas County Health and Human Services provides updates on communicable diseases, vaccination resources, and outbreak guidance through its public channels. Residents can monitor official county and state health websites for the latest verified information on measles and other infectious diseases.
The new laboratory is intended to enhance local testing capacity and coordination with hospitals during disease investigations and public health emergencies.
If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.
