Top Line
The measles outbreak, which began in Texas at the beginning of the year, had infected more than 300 people as of Tuesday. This is already exceeding the total number of measles cases reported in 2024, with cases of highly contagious diseases found in 17 states.
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 of measles had grown to 309 cases as of Friday, with 40 patients hospitalized and one child dead from the illness confirmed.
The Texas Department of Health said the remaining 307 sick patients were not vaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown, with two cases being vaccinated.
According to an update on Friday, there have been around 378 cases in the US so far this year. CDCsurpassing the 285 measles cases recorded throughout 2024.
In New Mexico, which has the country’s second most common measles cases, Lee County has 40 states 42 Measles cases confirmedroughly 47 miles from Gaines County, Texas, the majority of the Texas measles incident has been detected.
In Kansas, measles spread has recently increased. Health Bureau We have reported 10 cases so far this year.
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?
Gaines County, a rural area about an hour and a half west of Lubbock, has 211 measles cases. The remaining cases are in Terry County (37), Dawson County (13), Yoakum County (12), Durham County (6), Martin County (3), Lubbock County (8), Ector County (2), and Lynn County (2). Measles cases not associated with the larger outbreaks in western Texas include cases in Harris County (3), Lamar County (2), Midland County (1), Rockwall County (1), and Travis County (1).
What age group is affecting the outbreak of measles in Texas?
Approximately 130 cases were among people aged 5-17, and 102 cases were reported between 4 and 58-year-old children aged 18 and older. The ages of the 19 patients are not stated.
Is it happening in other states?
Yes, it’s happening in New Mexico 38 cases It has been reported, of which 36 are in Lee County, and are areas on the border with Texas. Outside of Texas and New Mexico, there are 1 to 9 cases Reported by the CDC California, Washington, Alaska, Georgia, Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island. Oklahoma health officials have not been marked by CDC measles trackers; It has been reported Four “potential” cases of measles as of Tuesday.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Symptoms of measles include fever, rash, cough, fatigue, runny nose and red eyes. Symptoms may not appear 10-14 days after someone is exposed to the virus, and may appear 21 days after exposure.
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, spread through infected surfaces and can remain in the air and on the surface for up to two hours after an infected person has left a certain area.
What is the isolation protocol for measles?
People infected with measles must be isolated for four days after developing the rash, and the rash date is considered to be zero days.
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 reassessment, NPR reported, noting that early measles vaccines were 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 United States. 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)
