In Texas, measles cases have surged to 146, marking the state’s worst outbreak in nearly 30 years. This increase included a tragic incident: an unvaccinated child died from the disease, the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that the outbreak has affected nine counties. Gaines County alone has seen nearly 100 cases, with 20 patients requiring hospitalization. The child who passed away was treated at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, although they did not reside in that area.
Health officials are concerned. As the virus spreads primarily through rural West Texas, it’s concentrated in a close-knit Mennonite community that has many unvaccinated individuals. Gaines County has a significant number of homeschooled and private school children, contributing to lower vaccination rates. In fact, about 14% of school-aged children opted out of at least one required vaccine last year.
Texas law allows parents to exempt their children from vaccinations for personal beliefs, including religious reasons. This makes it likely that the number of unvaccinated children is even higher than reported because homeschooled children often aren’t included in these statistics.
The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is effective and safe. The first dose is recommended for kids between 12 to 15 months, with a second dose given at ages 4 to 6. While most children recover from measles, it can lead to severe complications, such as pneumonia or brain swelling, and in some cases, it can be fatal.
Vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. Most states now fall below the 95% vaccination level needed to effectively protect communities from outbreaks. After being declared eliminated in 2000, measles cases have been rising again across the U.S., with recent outbreaks reported in Chicago affecting over 60 people.
Even neighboring New Mexico is seeing its own cases, with nine reported. However, these cases are not linked to the Texas outbreak.
Source link
Texas, Disease outbreaks, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Measles, Children, General news, TX State Wire, NM State Wire, Lara Anton, Health, U.S. news, U.S. News
