Mexia ISD says reported measles case was actually rubella, not measles​on February 28, 2025 at 4:29 am

MEXIA, Texas — The Mexia ISD superintendent Ryder Appleton said Thursday night that what was initially reported as a case of measles in the district was instead rubella. 

Earlier in the afternoon the district posted the following statement to its website and social media platforms announcing a confirmed case of measles: 

“Good Afternoon Blackcats, This message is to inform you that MISD received confirmation today of one case of measles within the district. For privacy reasons we are not at liberty to release more details at this time. District officials are in communication with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to receive guidance on recommended precautions and procedures for sanitizing. We will continue to share information and resources as they become available.“

But when WFAA reached out to a spokesperson at the Department of State Health Services for confirmation, a spokesperson said there were no reported measles cases in Mexia.  

“We don’t have any confirmed measles cases in the Mexia area,” the spokesperson wrote. “This seems to be a false alarm due to a miscommunication with a parent. We’re reaching out to the district to ensure they’re aware.”

WFAA tried for hours to get in touch with the superintendent, district nurse, and school board members for clarification. Around 7 p.m., the superintendent released the following statement saying the patient initially told the district they had measles, but after further investigation, the district learned the patient had rubella, also known as “German measles.”

“This is a follow up to MISD’s earlier announcement regarding a reported case of measles within the district. This morning the district nurse received an email from a person within the district stating they had been “diagnosed with measles”. Additionally, district officials were informed that misinformation was quickly spreading on social media regarding this case. In response, District communication protocol was promptly implemented to inform stakeholders of the information we had at that time. Following our initial announcement and as a matter of due diligence, the district nurse was able to make contact with the treating physician who confirmed the diagnosis was German Measles, also known as Rubella.”

Rubella is not the same as measles, though the two illnesses share some signs and symptoms and the MMR vaccine is given to protect both diseases.

Rubella, however, according to the Mayo Clinic, is caused by a different virus and isn’t as infectious or as severe. 

Rubella is incredibly rare and can pose a serious risk to pregnant women. 

According to The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, less than 10 people in the US contract rubella each year.

It is still not clear if the person who reported contracting Rubella is a teacher or a student.