Measles is to blame for the death of a school-aged child in West Texas. Health authorities confirmed the death on Wednesday. They say the child was not vaccinated.
This is the first measles death in the United States since 2015. The death in Texas is part of a wider outbreak of measles that has hit Texas. The Texas Department of Health Services reports the virus has now infected 124 people. Most of the cases range in age between 5 and 17. Nearly everyone infected, except for five people, were unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown.
Besides the cases in Texas, nine people in neighboring New Mexico also have contracted measles. Eighteen people have ended up in the hospital.
Symptoms for Measles
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease. The common symptoms for measles include a rash, fever, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a cough. However, the virus can lead to serious health complications in some patients such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, even death. Symptoms may appear one to two weeks after exposure to the virus.
Vaccination Rates Drop
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says measles was declared “eliminated” from the United States in 2000. That has changed in the past 20 years. Fewer people are getting vaccinated. That has led to more measles outbreaks. The CDC reported 285 cases of measles last year. The current outbreak in Texas is nearly half of the 2024 total.
County Update
MCM spoke with County Health Officer, Dr. Kisha Davis, about this latest measles outbreak and whether people in this region should be concerned.
“Currently there are no cases of measles in the County. The best way to protect against measles is with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses are 97% effective and one dose is 93% effective at preventing measles. Fully vaccinated persons are generally considered protected from infection throughout their lifetime. If you have not been vaccinated or are unsure if you have been vaccinated, an individual should contact his or her healthcare provider. If a person thinks he or she has been exposed, they also should contact their healthcare provider,” Davis said.
Vaccination Schedule
The CDC recommends children get their first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age. The second dose should happen when a child is between four and six years old. Children too young to get a shot are more likely to have severe complications if they catch measles.
While the MMR vaccine offers lifetime protection, some adults may want to check if their immunity has waned. A blood test can determine a person’s immunity to disease.
Populations at Risk
“The risk to adults vaccinated for MMR is low. The MMR vaccine is very effective at protecting people against the measles. Those that receive MMR vaccination are usually considered protected throughout life. We do not know why, but some people who get two doses of MMR vaccine may still get measles if exposed to the virus. However, disease symptoms are generally milder in people who received the vaccination,” Davis said.
She explained certain populations are more at risk of becoming very ill from measles. They include infants, young children, adults, and pregnant women not vaccinated for MMR or who do not have immunity to measles. People with weakened immune systems also are at a higher risk for becoming ill from the virus. Davis says vaccination is key for people to protect themselves from measles.
