Measles, a disease that was once nearly eradicated in the United States, is making a dangerous return.
Recently, a child in Texas died from the disease. This is the first death from measles in the U.S. in ten years, writes Hotnews.
Health officials are concerned that the situation could get worse as the outbreak continues to grow.
The child, who had not been vaccinated, passed away in a pediatric hospital overnight. This tragic event occurred during the fourth week of the measles outbreak in Texas.
At least 124 people have been infected in West Texas since early February, and most of them are unvaccinated children.
The outbreak has even spread to New Mexico, where nine new cases were reported. The disease is highly contagious, and health officials expect more cases to follow.
The symptoms of measles include a high fever, red, watery eyes, a cough, and a rash that starts on the face.
Patients in Texas have been treated with medication for fever and fluids through an IV. Some children required supplemental oxygen.
The New Mexico Department of Health has warned that additional cases are likely, and health experts are bracing for the outbreak to continue.
Measles spreads through the air, mainly through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that for every 1,000 measles cases, 1 to 3 people die. The last reported death from measles in the U.S. was in 2015.
The outbreak in Texas started in a rural Mennonite community where many children are homeschooled and not vaccinated.
Health officials said this community has been hesitant about seeking medical care. As the outbreak continues, health experts are warning that the situation could worsen before it improves.
Measles was declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, but recent years have seen an increase in cases.
In 2024, there were 285 reported cases, more than four times the number in 2023.
Texas, in particular, has been at the center of this resurgence, partly due to the state’s strong anti-vaccine movement.
