US Measles Outbreak Worsens: Another Unvaccinated Child Dies in West Texas Amid Spiraling Cases

The measles outbreak in the United States continues to worsen, with another unvaccinated school-aged child in West Texas dying from the illness related to measles. The child was receiving treatment for complications of measles while hospitalized and did not have underlying health conditions. The news comes as the US has more than double the number of measles cases it saw in all of 2024, with the Texas health authorities yet to release the latest death figures.

The measles outbreak in the United States

• The measles outbreak is spreading rapidly across multiple states, including West Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas, with nearly 570 people affected.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported cases related to Texas in Mexico.
• The number of cases in Texas shot up by 81 between March 28 and April 4, with 16 more people hospitalized.
• A CDC team is on the ground in Texas assisting with the outbreak response.
• Experts and local health officials expect the outbreak to continue for several more months, if not a year.

Concerns Over Measles Outbreak and Misinformation

The measles outbreak is largely affecting unvaccinated people and children younger than 17 in West Texas. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist, has delivered a call to action on the importance of vaccination against measles. The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine has been used safely for more than 60 years and is 97 percent effective against measles after two doses, according to an Associated Press report. However, misinformation about how to prevent and treat measles is hindering a robust public health response, including claims about vitamin A supplements.

Expert Reactions and CDC Response

• Dr. Peter Marks, a former FDA vaccine chief who was forced out of the FDA after disagreements with Kennedy over vaccine safety, has attributed the death to Kennedy and his staff.
• Marks has called for individuals to get vaccinated, stating that it’s the only way to prevent people from dying of measles.
• The CDC team is working to contain the outbreak and is providing assistance to local health authorities.

What You Need to Know

• Measles is a respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to two hours.
• Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• The first shot is recommended for children ages 12 to 15 months, and the second for ages 4 to 6 years.

Conclusion

The ongoing measles outbreak in the US highlights the importance of vaccination and the need to address misinformation that is stalling public health efforts. The threat of measles spreading rapidly across the country emphasizes the urgency for individuals to get vaccinated and for authorities to implement and monitor vaccination programs thoroughly.

Keywords: measles outbreak, West Texas, US, vaccination, public health response, misinformation, vitamin A supplements.

Hashtags: #MeaslesOutbreak #Vaccination #PublicHealth #Misinformation #USHealthDept

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