A child in West Texas has died from measles, marking the first fatality in an outbreak that has affected over 120 people. It is the first measles death in the United States in a decade. The outbreak, which began late last month, has spread across nine counties in Texas and reached eastern New Mexico. The child, who was unvaccinated, passed away within the past 24 hours, according to health officials in Lubbock and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
The outbreak is primarily affecting the Mennonite community in rural areas, where people frequently travel between towns for daily activities. The Texas DSHS reported that 18 individuals have been hospitalized out of the 124 cases. Only five of those infected were vaccinated.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can linger in the air for up to two hours. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that up to 90% of susceptible individuals will contract the virus if exposed. While most children recover, measles can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and even death.
Health officials are urging parents to vaccinate their children to prevent further spread of the disease. The outbreak is the largest in Texas in the past 30 years, and health authorities are working to contain it.
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