### Second US Measles Death Reported

 

### Second US Measles Death Reported

**Overview:** The measles outbreak in Texas has affected almost 200 people as of Friday. Additionally, a man in New Mexico, who also tested positive for measles amidst their outbreak, has passed away, although the exact cause of death is still under investigation.

**Outbreak in Texas:**

- **Infections and Hospitalizations:** 198 people have been infected, with 23 requiring hospitalization.

- **Vaccination Status:** Only five infected individuals were vaccinated. The rest were either unvaccinated (80) or had an unknown vaccination status (113).

**New Mexico Incident:**

- A deceased unvaccinated man in Lea County, New Mexico, tested positive for measles. He did not seek medical care before passing away, and the cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

- All 30 reported cases in New Mexico are in Lea County, close to Gaines County, Texas, which has most Texas cases.

**Affected Areas in Texas:**

- Most of the Texas cases (137) are in Gaines County. Other affected counties include Terry (29 cases), Dawson (9), Yoakum (8), Dallam (5), Martin (3), Lubbock (3), Ector (2), and Lynn (2).

**Age Distribution:**

- Most cases are among individuals aged 5 to 17 (89 cases), followed by children aged 0 to 4 (64 cases), and adults over 18 (34 cases). The ages of 11 patients have not been disclosed.

**Outbreaks in Other States:**

- Apart from Texas and New Mexico, a few reported cases exist in California, Alaska, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

**Measles Symptoms:**

- Symptoms include fever, rash, cough, fatigue, runny nose, and red eyes, typically appearing 10 to 14 days after exposure.

**Contagiousness:**

- Measles is highly contagious, spreading to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals close to an infected person. It can spread through coughing, sneezing, and contaminated surfaces.

**Vaccination:**

- The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective (97% with two doses) and typically given to children. Adults unsure of their vaccination status can also get vaccinated.

**Comments from Officials:**

- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged the outbreak's profound impact, urging a commitment to public health.

**Important Quote:**

- “Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities,” stated the Texas Department of State Health Services.

**Background:**

- The current Texas measles outbreak, starting in late January, is the largest in 30 years. Despite measles being declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, new cases have emerged, particularly from international travelers. In 2024, 285 measles cases were reported across 33 states.

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