Texas measles outbreak has caused the first U.S. measles-related death in a decade. An unvaccinated child died in a Lubbock hospital as the outbreak spread to New Mexico, with over 130 reported cases.
The measles outbreak spreads to New Mexico and Texas.
Since early February, health officials have identified at least 124 cases in West Texas. Most affected individuals are unvaccinated children. In New Mexico, close to the Texas border, nine more cases have been verified.
The outbreak originated in a rural Mennonite community in Gaines County, southwest of Lubbock. Many in this close-knit, under-vaccinated community do not seek regular healthcare, increasing the risk of transmission.
First Measles Death in the U.S. Since 2015
The child, whose name has not been released, died overnight at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock.
Amy Thompson, the hospital’s CEO, stated, “We were not prepared for a death so early in the outbreak, and we have had so many kids coming in.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) subsequently verified only one death, despite initial reports indicating two.
Measles Signs and Consequences
Measles is extremely infectious and spreads by respiratory droplets. Patients have displayed symptoms like:
elevated fever
congestion of the nose and cough
Watery, red eyes
rash that appears on the face first
There have been at least 18 hospitalizations, with severe cases need IV fluids, fever-reducing drugs, and oxygen support.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that 1-3 out of every 1,000 measles cases result in death.
More Cases Are Expected by Health Officials
As measles spreads quickly, the New Mexico health agency has issued a warning that additional cases are anticipated.
Dr. Peter Hotez, director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Baylor University, said Texas is the epicenter due to its strong anti-vaccine movement.
“It’s a bad illness, and about 20% of cases require hospitalization,” Hotez noted.
Vaccination Efforts and Public Health Response
Health officials urge parents to get their children vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.To try to stop the pandemic, the city of Lubbock has set up free vaccination clinics.
Despite this, the CDC and HHS are monitoring the situation and have not issued official statements.
Final thoughts
Texas’s measles outbreak serves as a warning of the dangers of low vaccination rates. As cases rise in a number of jurisdictions, public health officials stress the importance of vaccination in averting additional illness and deaths.
Source:Reuters
