The person hospitalized for measles died in West Texas, the first death of an outbreak that began late last month.
Melissa Whitfield, a spokesman for the Center for Health Sciences at Texas Institute of Technology, confirmed his death Wednesday. The age of the patient who died overnight was not clear.
Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Measles outbreaks in rural areas of western Texas have grown to 124 cases in nine counties, the state health department said Tuesday. There are nine cases in eastern New Mexico.
Measles is a respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to 2 hours. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine out of ten susceptible people will be ingested when exposed. Most children recover from measles when they acquire measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, swelling of the brain, and death.
Outbreaks are Mennonite communities, primarily spread in areas where small towns are separated by vast open lands with oil-equipped equipment. .
The outbreak of measles in West Texas, Texas, has increased to 124 cases, according to the Texas Department of Health.
What is measles?
Measles is a respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to 2 hours. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine out of ten susceptible people will be ingested when exposed.
Most children recover from measles when they acquire measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, swelling of the brain, and death.
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes, the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines are safe and very effective in preventing severe cases of measles infection and disease.
The first shot is recommended for children between 12-15 months and 4-6 years old. The vaccine series is needed for children before kindergarten in public schools across the country.
Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, the US saw approximately 3-4 million cases a year. Currently, it is usually under 200 in a normal year.
Despite the current differences in research and health disinformation, there is no link between vaccines and autism.
Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. RFK Jr. questioned at a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday that he was industrious for toddlers once sold by Toddlers Health Defense.
Why is vaccination rates important?
In communities with high vaccination rates, diseases like measles struggle to spread to communities, over 95%. This is called “swar immunity.”
However, childhood vaccination rates have fallen nationwide as the pandemic and more parents advocate for exemptions of religious or personal conscience to exempt children from the necessary shots. Masu.
In the US, measles cases increased in 2024. This included more than 60 outbreaks in Chicago that led to illness.
Gaines County has one of the highest rates in Texas for school-age children, with almost 14% of K-12 children from 2023-24, opting out of at least one needed vaccine. Health officials say the number is likely to be high as it does not include many children who are homeschooled and have no data reported.
What are public health officials doing to stop spreads?
Healthcare workers hold regular vaccination clinics and screening efforts in Texas, and work with schools to educate people on the importance of vaccination and offering shots.
New Mexico health officials are holding several vaccination clinics in Hobbs next week.
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