A child in West Texas has become the first US death from measles in over a decade, amid a growing outbreak that has claimed hundreds of cases in Texas and another death in New Mexico. The measles virus is affecting Mennonite communities in small Texas towns, where vaccination rates are low due to religious concerns.
Reporter Tom Bartlett recently visited Seminole, Texas, the town where six-year-old girl with measles died. He spoke to Peter, her father, who revealed that his daughter developed pneumonia, a common complication of severe measles cases. The family was reluctant to discuss further details, as they fear public scrutiny from their community.
Residents in Seminole are resisting vaccination efforts, citing cultural resistance to modernity and medical care. While there’s no doctrine banning vaccinations, some Mennonites prefer homeopathic remedies instead. Many feel stigmatized and targeted unfairly, despite not being the only unvaccinated group affected by measles outbreaks.
Public health authorities face challenges in tracking the outbreak due to limited testing site visits and infrequent hospital reports. It’s estimated that the actual number of cases could be much higher than reported, with thousands of unvaccinated individuals in the region at risk.
As the situation continues to evolve, residents are experiencing varying emotions – anxiety, concern, and feelings of proportionality. Public health officials are trying new strategies to reach resistant communities, acknowledging that this crisis is far from over.
Source: https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/west-texas-measles-outbreak-death-father-gaines-county-seminole