Top Line
The outbreak of measles in Texas has infected nearly 200 people as of Friday, a day after a deceased man from New Mexico County also experienced an outbreak where a positive illness was tested, but his official cause of death is still under investigation.
Eight people who have been ill due to the virus have been hospitalized.
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Important facts
Texas Department of Health It has been reported The outbreak had grown to 198 measles cases as of Friday, with 23 patients hospitalised.
The Texas Department of Health said five cases were vaccinated, and the remaining patients with the disease either had not been vaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown (113).
Thursday, New Mexico Department of Health I said A deceased man who has not been vaccinated against measles in Lee County has been tested positive for the virus, but he said he has died and has not sought medical care, saying, “The official cause of the death is still under investigation.”
Lee County, New Mexico, is home to all 30 confirmed measles cases in the state, and the majority of Texas measles cases have been detected, about 47 miles from Gaines County, Texas.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Director of Health and Human Services. I said Last month, the outbreak was “unusual” before it was recently recognized.Serious impact. ”
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Where is measles occurring in Texas?
Approximately 137 measles cases are in Gaines County, a rural area about an hour and a half west of Lubbock. The remaining cases are in Terry County (29), Dawson County (9), Yoakum County (8), Durham County (5), Martin County (3), Lubbock County (3), Ector County (2), and Lynn County (2).
What age group is affecting the outbreak of measles in Texas?
Eighty-nine cases were among those aged 5-17, while 64 cases were among children ages 0 and were reported among adults over 18 years old. The age of the patient at 11 years old is not stated.
Is it happening in other states?
Yes, it’s happening in New Mexico 30 cases It is reported in Lee County, on the border with Texas. Outside of Texas and New Mexico, there are 1 to 9 cases Reported by the CDC California, Alaska, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Symptoms of measles include fever, rash, cough, fatigue, runny nose and red eyes. Symptoms do not appear 10-14 days after someone is exposed to the virus.
How contagious is measles?
Measles is highly contagious and can range from 9 to 9 out of 10 people close to one. According to the CDC, people infected with measles can spread it to others four days before the rash appears. Measles can cough, sneeze, or spread through infected surfaces.
Is there a measles vaccine available?
Yes, that’s right Very effective and safeaccording to the CDC. The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, which have been available for over half a century, are effective at preventing measles at two standard doses, and 93% at a single dose. Vaccines are usually given to people when they are children, one dose is administered between 12 and 15 months and the other between the ages of 4 and 6. Vaccines generally provide long-term or lifelong protection. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that if you are unsure of their vaccination status, there is no problem with taking the vaccine. NPR. Adults born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1968 should consider reexamination, NPR reported, noting that early measles vaccines are not very effective.
What was RFK Jr. saying about the measles outbreak and vaccines?
After claiming that the outbreak was “not unusual,” Kennedy changed his stance and considered it “serious” that he said on March 3rd statement “The outbreak of measles in Texas is a call to encourage action to reaffirm our commitment to public health,” Kennedy, a. Vaccine skepticsnoting that while the vaccine contributes to community immunity, it did not explicitly direct people to get vaccinated, noting that “the decision to receive the vaccine is personal.” He also supported the use of vitamin A under the supervision of a doctor to treat people with mild, moderate and severe infections, and raised concerns among health experts who warn about the effectiveness of the vitamin. Sue Cresley, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics Washington Post Relying on vitamin A instead of the MMR vaccine can only be “hard and ineffective” and can put your child at risk. Meanwhile, the nonprofit child health defense advocacy, which was founded and formerly chaired by RFK Jr., has attacked the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine. Quoting skeptics Measles claimed that “it’s insignificant inconvenience until it turns into a literal neurological injury nightmare through the MMR vaccine campaign.”
Important Quotes
“Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, additional cases could occur in the outbreak area and surrounding communities, according to the Texas Department of Health.”
Important background
The outbreak of measles in Texas began in late January with just two cases, making it the state’s biggest virus outbreak in 30 years. The Texas Department of Health Report The student vaccination status for the 2023-2024 grade, with 5.64% of Texas kindergarten students not receiving the vaccine because of measles, while 2.34% of seventh graders not receiving the vaccine. In 2000, measles were completely eliminated from the US, CDCmeaning that the virus has not spread across the country, and 33 states reported a total of 285 new cases from people signed measles overseas and returned to the US in 2024.
Read more
If measles cases are on the rise in the US, do adults need a vaccine booster? (NPR)
