El Paso measles cases prompt exposure alerts as local groups invest in care
El Paso, TX – February 28, 2026 – Measles cases rose to 17 in the county as officials listed exposure sites; new grants and training aim to bolster local care.
El Paso health officials are responding to a new cluster of measles cases, while local organizations and providers highlight investments aimed at strengthening care across the Borderland.
Outbreak watch: measles cases and possible exposure sites
The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has confirmed 17 measles cases tied to the area. Officials said 13 cases were reported at the Camp East Montana ICE detention facility through federal authorities, with four cases involving people in the city.
Contact tracing is underway. Health officials also published a list of locations and times where exposure may have occurred between Feb. 20 and Feb. 22, including Del Sol Medical Center and high-traffic retail spots such as Cielo Vista Mall. People who were at the listed sites during the specified time windows and later develop symptoms such as fever and rash are being urged to contact a health care provider for evaluation.
Officials emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective prevention tool. They noted that measles can linger in the air after an infected person leaves an area, which is one reason the virus can spread quickly in schools, workplaces and health care settings.
Healthcare workforce: support for oral surgery training in El Paso
On the provider side, Texas Tech Health El Paso and High Desert Oral and Facial Surgery announced a $500,000 endowed residency leadership position intended to help build a local training pathway for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The practice pledged $250,000, with Texas Tech Health El Paso matching the gift.
Organizers said the goal is to strengthen specialized training locally and help keep complex oral and facial surgery care in the region, including trauma and reconstructive services.
Community health funding: regional grants target prevention and healthy living
Paso del Norte Health Foundation also announced more than $557,000 in grants supporting health-related work across the Borderplex. The foundation said the funding is aimed at three priority areas: health leadership, disease prevention and management, and healthy living.
KVIA reported that the grant list includes support for organizations involved in regional health coordination and community services, including BorderRAC and United Way of El Paso County.
Access and advocacy: rare-disease treatment spotlight
In Washington, D.C., an El Paso mother spoke during a U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing to urge expanded access to treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness. The family’s message centered on the urgency many patients face as they wait for decisions on therapies and access pathways.
Sources
https://kvia.com/news/2026/02/27/17-measles-cases-reported-in-el-paso-county-health-officials-urge-vaccinations/
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/26/measles-el-paso-camp-east-montana-ice/
https://kvia.com/news/2026/02/26/paso-del-norte-awards-funds-to-advance-regional-health/
https://kvia.com/news/top-stories/2026/02/26/high-desert-oral-and-facial-surgery-endows-oral-surgery-residency/
https://kvia.com/news/top-stories/2026/02/26/el-paso-mother-urges-access-to-duchenne-treatment/
