A child has died from measles in West Texas, marking the first known death in a growing outbreak that is spreading rapidly across the state and neighboring New Mexico. At least 124 cases have been reported since late January, mostly among unvaccinated children and teenagers whose vaccination status is unknown.
The patient was an unvaccinated school-age child from Gaines County, where experts say at least 95% of people need to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks. The county has historically had lower vaccination rates, with only 82% of its population receiving the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine last year.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., newly appointed US health secretary, downplayed the news, saying it was not unusual and that federal officials are “watching” the outbreak. However, experts disagree, citing declining vaccination rates and the importance of rebuilding confidence in vaccines as a public health tool.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can be life-threatening if left untreated. The best way to protect against it is with two doses of the MMR vaccine, which prevent over 97% of measles infections. Experts warn that the virus can spread rapidly when there are low vaccination rates in a community.
New Mexico has also reported an outbreak with nine cases in Lea County, where all four infected children under 18 are unvaccinated. The US national immunization rate for measles has not rebounded to the 95% required to stem outbreaks, and anti-vaccine campaigns have targeted the MMR vaccine.
The death highlights the need for increased vaccination efforts, especially in communities with low vaccination rates. As Dr. David Higgins said, “Measles is so incredibly contagious that it spreads like wildfire when it gets into a community with a very low vaccination rate.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/us/texas-measles-outbreak-death.html