A child in West Texas has died from measles, marking the state’s first death in an ongoing outbreak. The unvaccinated school-age child passed away within the last 24 hours, amidst rising cases—124 identified in Texas since late January, primarily among unvaccinated children and teenagers. Eighteen have required hospitalization. Measles is extremely contagious and can be deadly for the unprotected. Health experts advocate for the MMR vaccine, which is over 97% effective after two doses. New Mexico is also experiencing an outbreak, with nine cases reported, all unvaccinated. Public health officials are urging vaccination to curb the spread.
A child has succumbed to measles in West Texas, marking the first confirmed death related to an outbreak of the disease that is currently affecting the state and its neighbor, New Mexico, according to officials on Wednesday.
According to a statement from health officials in Lubbock and the Texas Department of State Health Services, the patient was an unvaccinated school-aged child who passed away within the last 24 hours.
Further details were not disclosed, but officials announced a news conference scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at the Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.
Texas health officials report at least 124 confirmed cases of measles since late January, primarily among children and teenagers who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unclear. Eighteen individuals have required hospitalization.
Measles is an extremely contagious respiratory disease that can pose serious health risks to anyone lacking immunity against the virus.
Healthcare providers emphasize that the most effective defense against the disease is through two doses of the MMR vaccine, typically given to children. This vaccine is known to prevent over 97 percent of measles infections, according to Texas health officials.
The South Plains area of Texas, where the outbreak is prevalent, has notably low vaccination rates compared to federal benchmarks.
Similarly, New Mexico has reported an outbreak with nine cases identified in Lea County, located in the southeastern part of the state near the Texas border. Four of these cases involve unvaccinated children under the age of 18, as shared by Robert Nott, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Health. So far, none of the cases in New Mexico have led to hospitalizations, he added.
This outbreak emerges amidst rising worries among public health officials regarding falling vaccination rates and the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a notable vaccine skeptic, as the nation’s health secretary.
Measles is highly infectious and can be spread when an infected individual breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Infected people typically start presenting symptoms within one to two weeks after exposure. Initial symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A few days later, a distinct rash appears, starting as flat red spots on the face and then spreading down to the neck, trunk, and the rest of the body.
In response to the outbreak, Texas health officials are conducting vaccination clinics and urging the public to receive the MMR vaccine.