The measles incident in Kansas has more than doubled last week to 20, with another outbreak in Ohio I’m tired of 10 peoplelocal public health officials reported Wednesday.
There have been several major outbreaks in the US this year. This was a massive outbreak in West Texas, spreading to more than 320 people and 40 people hospitalized. Health officials are worried that the Texas outbreak is sowing others.
More than 40 measles cases have been reported in New Mexico, and seven have been identified in Oklahoma. In both states, health officials said the infection was linked to the Texas outbreak.
In Kansas, the virus is mostly present Children who have been vaccinated without infection On the southwest corner of the state. The genetic sequence suggests a link to the Texas and New Mexico outbreak, state health officials told the New York Times Wednesday.
The other 14 states have reported cases of measles quarantined in 2025, more often the result of international travel. In Ohio, nine out of 10 cases were traced to unvaccinated men who have recently traveled abroad.
“We are disappointed when we consider the measles activity in Texas, New Mexico and other states around the country, but we are not surprised to see some incidents here in Ohio,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the state’s Department of Health.
Experts fear that lower vaccination rates across the country have made the country vulnerable to the revival of preventable diseases, including measles.
Less than 93% Among the kindergarten children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2023 and 2024, there were measles, mumps and rubella vaccines.
Experts recommend vaccinating at least 95% of people in the community to avoid outbreaks.
In Kansas 90% of kindergarten children MMR shots were given between 2023 and 24, according to state data.
About 89% Of the Ohio kindergarteners, MMR was shot that year.
Measles, cough and sneezing, which spread when an infected person breathes, are one of the most infectious viruses.
Within weeks of exposure, infected people can develop high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Within a few days, a Telltail rash will break out.
In most cases, these symptoms resolve within a few weeks. However, in rare cases, the virus causes pneumonia, making it difficult for patients, especially children, to draw oxygen into the lungs.
Infection can also lead to swelling of the brain, which can cause permanent damage, such as blindness, hearing loss, and intellectual disability. According to the CDC, for every 1,000 children who restrain measles, one or two will die.
One child died in the Texas outbreak. This is the first such death in the United States in 10 years. One suspected death of measles has also been reported in New Mexico.
