West Texas Reports Nearly 200 Measles Cases
New Mexico Sees 30 New Cases, Bringing National Total to Over 200
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A historic measles outbreak in West Texas is just short of 200 cases, Texas state health officials said Friday, while the number of cases in neighboring New Mexico tripled in a day to 30.
Most Cases in People Under 18 and Unvaccinated or Unknown Vaccination Status
Most of the cases across both states are in people younger than 18 and people who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status.
Texas Health Officials Identify 39 New Infections
Texas health officials identified 39 new infections of the highly contagious disease, bringing the total count in the West Texas outbreak to 198 people since it began in late January. Twenty-three people have been hospitalized so far.
School-Age Child Dies of Measles in Texas
Last week, a school-age child died of measles in Texas, the nation’s first measles death in a decade. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week that they were sending a team to Texas to help local public health officials respond to the outbreak.
New Mexico Reports 30 New Cases
Across the state border from the epicenter of the outbreak, Lea County, New Mexico, had 10 cases Thursday after health officials confirmed an unvaccinated adult who died without seeking medical care tested positive for measles. The state medical investigator has not announced the official cause of death, but the state health department said Friday it is “measles-related.”
CDC Confirms Cases in Multiple States
The CDC said Friday it has also confirmed measles cases in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington.
Conclusion
The measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of this highly contagious disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in two doses, one at 12 to 15 months and another at 4 to 6 years.
FAQs
* What is the current number of measles cases in West Texas and New Mexico?
+ West Texas: 198 cases
+ New Mexico: 30 cases
* Who is most affected by the outbreak?
+ People under 18 and those who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status
* What is the recommended vaccination schedule for the MMR vaccine?
+ One dose at 12 to 15 months and another at 4 to 6 years
* What is the current vaccination rate in Gaines County, Texas?
+ 82% (below the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks)
