An unvaccinated school-aged little one in Texas has died of measles, the primary related to an outbreak in the western part of the state that has contaminated greater than 100 folks.
Lubbock metropolis spokesperson Lauren Adams confirmed the dying to ABC Information on Wednesday.
In a press launch, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) mentioned the kid was hospitalized within the northwestern metropolis of Lubbock final week and examined constructive for measles.
As of Wednesday, 124 instances of measles have been confirmed related to the outbreak, in accordance with data from DSHS.
Nearly all the instances are in unvaccinated people or people whose vaccination standing is unknown, and 18 folks have been hospitalized to this point, DSHS mentioned.
An individual’s physique is roofed in a rash, measles on this undated inventory picture.
Natalya Maisheva/Getty Photos
Kids and youngsters between ages 5 and 17 make up nearly all of instances with 62, adopted by 39 instances amongst kids ages 4 and beneath.
The outbreak started in Gaines County, which has turn out to be the epicenter, with 80 instances confirmed amongst residents, in accordance with DSHS.
The outbreak has since unfold to a number of counties within the area and is “suspected” to have unfold into New Mexico, in accordance with New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). 9 instances have been confirmed in Lea County, which borders Texas. Of the 9 instances, 4 are amongst kids, in accordance with NMDOH.
“This dying underscores the actual hazard of measles — it is a extreme illness that may take lives regardless of being preventable with vaccination,” mentioned Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and ABC Information contributor. “Each new case is a reminder of why vaccination is vital. Tragically, with an outbreak of this scale, a deadly case was not surprising, particularly amongst these unvaccinated. Given how contagious measles is, we anticipate extra instances within the coming weeks.”
Throughout Tuesday’s Cupboard assembly, Well being and & Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded to a query in regards to the outbreak, saying the company was following the instances in Texas.
Kennedy appeared to downplay the outbreak, noting there have been 4 outbreaks to this point this yr in comparison with 16 final yr. Nevertheless, the variety of instances in Texas alone quantity to nearly half of the 285 cases confirmed in 2024.
“It is commonplace; we now have measles outbreaks yearly,” he mentioned.
Measles is without doubt one of the most contagious illnesses recognized to people. Only one contaminated affected person can unfold measles as much as nine out of 10 susceptible close contacts, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
Well being officers have been urging anybody who is not vaccinated to obtain the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The CDC at the moment recommends folks obtain two vaccine doses, the primary at ages 12 to fifteen months and the second between 4 and 6 years outdated. One dose is 93% efficient, and two doses are 97% efficient. Most vaccinated adults do not want a booster.
Measles was declared eradicated from the U.S. in 2000, because of the extremely efficient vaccination program, in accordance with the CDC. Nevertheless, vaccination charges have been lagging lately.
About 93% of kindergarteners nationwide acquired choose routine childhood vaccines, together with the MMR vaccine, for the 2022-23 college yr, in accordance with a November 2023 CDC report.
That is about the identical because the earlier college yr, however decrease than the 94% seen within the 2020-22021 college yr and the 95% seen within the 2019-2020 college yr, previous to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latter proportion had been the usual for about 10 years.
ABC Information’ Youri Benadjaoud contributed to this report.
