Measles has returned to Texas, with two cases confirmed in Houston last week. No cases have been found in Central Texas, but measles is a worry for health officials, causing Austin Public Health and the Texas Department of State Health Services to issue alerts.

Texas sees first measles cases since 2023, with confirmed cases in Harris and Lubbock counties, highlighting the importance of vaccination.

Two school-age children from Gaines County who had measles were hospitalized in Lubbock, state officials said.

The health department announced Friday that the two cases, in adults who live in the same household and have unknown vaccination statuses, are linked to international travel. Contract tracing is being conducted.

Two of the four cases are in Lubbock, which hasn’t seen a case in more than 20 years. Meanwhile, measles vaccination rates in Texas have fallen over the last four years.

The contagious disease is preventable with measles, mumps and rubella vaccines.