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West Texas is grappling with a historic measles outbreak, with nearly 200 cases reported, while neighboring New Mexico has seen its case count triple to 30, according to state health officials.
Health authorities say most of the cases involve individuals under 18 years old who are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. In Texas, the number of confirmed infections surged by 39 in recent days, bringing the total count to 198 since the outbreak began in late January. So far, 23 people have been hospitalized.
Last week, a school-age child in Texas succumbed to the disease, marking the first measles-related death in the United States in a decade. In response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dispatched a team to Texas to assist local public health officials in controlling the outbreak.
New Mexico’s outbreak has been concentrated in Lea County, near the Texas border. The number of cases there has steadily risen from 14 in early February to 30 by this week. While health officials have yet to confirm a direct link between the outbreaks in the two states, they have stated that a connection is “suspected.” Additionally, an unvaccinated New Mexico adult who passed away without seeking medical care has tested positive for measles, though the state medical investigator has not yet confirmed the official cause of death.
The CDC has also reported measles cases in several other states, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington. However, Texas and New Mexico account for the majority of the nation’s infections.
The resurgence of measles presents a significant challenge for U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known anti-vaccine activist. Kennedy has downplayed the Texas outbreak as “not unusual” and has continued to question vaccine safety while promoting unproven treatments such as cod liver oil. However, most local doctors in the West Texas region have stated that they had never encountered a case of measles before this outbreak.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is widely recognized as safe and highly effective in preventing measles infection. The CDC recommends the first dose for children between 12 and 15 months of age, with a second dose administered between ages 4 and 6. Vaccination rates across the country have declined in recent years due to a growing number of parents claiming exemptions from school immunization requirements for personal or religious reasons.
Gaines County, Texas, which has recorded the majority of measles cases in the state, has a kindergarten vaccination rate of just 82%, significantly lower than the 95% threshold necessary to prevent outbreaks. Many of the county’s cases have been identified within the local Mennonite community, which has historically had lower vaccination rates due to concerns about government intervention.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can remain airborne for up to two hours. According to the CDC, nine out of ten unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus will become infected. The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000 due to widespread vaccination efforts, but the recent outbreaks have raised concerns about declining immunization rates.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available reports from health officials and news sources. Medical guidance should always be sought from qualified healthcare professionals. Readers are encouraged to consult official public health agencies for the latest updates and recommendations regarding measles and vaccination.
