Lubbock, Texas (KLBK) – In the latest update, the Texas Department of State Health (DSHS) reported 198 measles cases in West Texas.
The number of cases in nearby New Mexico has also tripled to age 30 in a day, local health officials said.
In Texas, DSHS said 23 of nearly 200 patients were hospitalized Friday morning. Authorities said most of the incidents were among patients who had not been vaccinated.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, additional cases may occur in the outbreak area and surrounding communities,” read the update posted Friday. “DSHS is working with the local health department to investigate the outbreak.”
In Texas, one outbreak-related mortality rate has been recorded. Children in unvaccinated grades. Authorities were unable to specify the exact age of the child who passed or whether they suffered from underlying health issues.
Crossing the state's borders Lee County, New Mexicoundead, unvaccinated residents were tested positive for measles after their death. The county had reported 10 measles cases on Thursday, but the state health department said it had risen to 30 cases on Friday.
The department says it was unable to prove a clear link to the Texas outbreak. On February 14, Link said he was “suspected.”
In addition to Texas and New Mexico, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed measles cases in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York City, Rhode Island and Washington, but mostly in Texas and New Mexico.
Why is measles spreading now?
Childhood vaccination rates across the country are falling as the number of parents seeking exemptions from public school requirements for personal or religious reasons is increasing. In Gaines County, Texas, there is a large majority of cases, with kindergarten measles vaccination rates of 82%, well below the 95% required to prevent the outbreak.
Much of the measles incident in Gaines County, Texas, is also found in the county's Mennonite community. This is a diverse group whose historically low vaccination rates can lead to members distrust and intervention.
“Measles was killing so many children,” said Dale Bratzler, dean of the University of Oklahoma Hudson University School of Public Health.kfor.
“You'll happen when the vaccination population rate starts to fall below 95%,” added Bratzler.
The doctor also told the outlet he believed that low vaccination rates were partially related to public vigilance and resistance brought about by misinformation.
“I think there was clearly a political impact on how we have a vision for vaccine efficacy and safety,” Bratzler said.
Measles is also a highly contagious disease, which can spread through air by contact with an infected surface containing secretions from an infected person, or after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
“You can get measles just by being in a room with someone with measles. This can happen even up to two hours after that person leaves.”The CDC writes.
Who should get the vaccine?
According to the CDC, the best way to avoid sending is to get vaccinated.World Health Organization, Most DHSH and infectious disease experts.
“The best way to prevent illness is to get vaccinated with two doses of vaccine against measles, which is mainly administered as a combination of measles-Munz-Rubella vaccines,” reads the latest Texas DHSH news. “Two doses of the MMR vaccine are extremely effective in preventing measles.”
Specifically, DSHS recommends parents of infants between 6 and 11 months old to consider early doses Measles – Munds – Rubera (MMR) vaccine. A different dose is recommended for 12-15 months. For children who receive the vaccine early, the final dose is recommended between the ages of 4 and 6.
For children older than 12 months old, if the child was not shot with measles, DSHS recommended that they be administered immediately, and another one lasted 28 days later. DSHS said teens and adults with no evidence of immunity should do the same thing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
