Texas measles outbreak grows to nearly 200 cases; neighboring state reports dozens of illnesses

LUBBOCK, Texas (KLBK) – In its latest update, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported 198 cases of measles across West Texas.

The number of cases in neighboring New Mexico also tripled in a day to 30, local health officials said.

In Texas, the DSHS said 23 out of the nearly 200 patients were hospitalized as of Friday morning. Officials said most cases were among patients who were not vaccinated.

"Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities," reads an update posted Friday. "DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak."

One fatality associated with the outbreak has been recorded in Texas — an unvaccinated school-aged child. Officials could not specify the exact age of the child who passed, or if they suffered any underlying health issues.

Across the state border in Lea County, N.M., an unvaccinated resident tested positive for measles after passing away. That county had reported 10 measles cases on Thursday, but the state health department said the number of cases in the area shot up Friday to 30.

The department has said it hasn't been able to prove a clear connection to the Texas outbreak; on Feb. 14, it said a link is “suspected.”

In addition to Texas and New Mexico, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed measles cases in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington, though the majority are in Texas and New Mexico.

Why is measles spreading right now?

Childhood vaccination rates across the country have declined as an increasing number of parents seek exemptions from public school requirements for personal or religious reasons. In Gaines County, Texas, which has the majority of cases, the kindergarten measles vaccination rate is 82 percent — far below the 95 percent needed to prevent outbreaks.

Many of the measles cases in Texas' Gaines County's are also in the county's Mennonite community, a diverse group that has historically had lower vaccination rates and whose members can be distrusting of government mandates and intervention.

“Measles used to kill, you know, so many children, and we’re starting to see outbreaks again because parents are not getting their kids vaccinated,” Dr. Dale Bratzler, the dean of the University of Oklahoma’s Hudson College of Public Health, told Nexstar’s KFOR.

“When the population rate of vaccination starts to fall below 95 percent, you’re going to have outbreaks,” Bratzler added.

The doctor also told the outlet that he believed that low vaccination rates were partly linked to public wariness or resistance brought on by misinformation, some of which is fueled by politicians.

“I think there’s clearly been political influence on the way that there’s vision about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines,” Bratzler said.

Measles, too, is a very contagious disease, and can spread by touching infected surfaces which contain secretions from an infected person, or via the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes.

“You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to 2 hours after that person has left,” the CDC writes.

Who should get vaccinated?

The best way to avoid transmission is to get vaccinated, according to the CDC, the World Health Organization, the DHSH and the majority of infectious disease experts.

“The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine,” reads the latest bulletin from Texas DHSH. “Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles.”

Specifically, the DSHS is recommending that parents of infants ages six to 11 months old consider an early dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Another dose will be recommended at 12 to 15 months old. For children who received the vaccine early, a final dose would be recommended at ages four to six years old.

For children over 12 months old, if the child has not had a measles shot, DSHS recommended they get a dose immediately, followed by another after 28 days. DSHS said teens and adults with no evidence of immunity should do the same.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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