Amidst the surge, over 200 confirmed measles cases occur in the United States with a second possible death under scrutiny.
The ongoing measles outbreak in the United States has reached a concerning milestone, with over 200 cases confirmed in Texas and New Mexico.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 198 measles cases have been identified in West Texas since late January. Of these, 23 patients have been hospitalized, and the age range for the affected individuals is wide-ranging: 0-4 years old (64 cases), 5-17 years old (89 cases), 18+ years old (34 cases), and Pending (11 cases).
New Mexico has also reported 30 cases of measles during this current outbreak, with no hospitalizations reported. The age distribution in New Mexico mirrors that of Texas, with 3 cases among children aged 0-4, 8 cases among children aged 5-17, 15 cases among adults aged 18 and older, and 4 cases with pending age determination.
Herd immunity for measles is generally considered to have been achieved at about 95% vaccination, but only 11 states in the U.S. have herd immunity for measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a map on its website showing the states with herd immunity for measles.
The measles vaccine is about 97% effective after two doses, and some vaccinated people can still get the disease in areas where herd immunity hasn't been maintained. If you are concerned about your measles immunity, talk with your doctor about ordering a titer test.
Sadly, this outbreak has claimed two lives. An unvaccinated adult in New Mexico has reportedly died of suspected measles, making it the second death of this current outbreak. A "school-aged" child in Texas was the first measles death in the U.S. since 2015.
Some Americans have claimed that eating enough vitamin A can stop measles, but the best way to prevent measles is vaccination. Dr. Chad Smelser, New Mexico's deputy state epidemiologist, has stated that the MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles.
The newly confirmed head of the Department of Heath and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., made an offhand comment at the White House that two people had died of the measles, but this claim has not been substantiated. Kennedy's top spokesperson recently resigned over his refusal to explicitly endorse vaccination as a way to fight measles.
It is now up to the states to help push the message out about the importance of vaccination in preventing measles. The CDC continues to urge everyone to ensure they are vaccinated against measles, especially those who are at increased risk, such as international travellers, students attending school, healthcare personnel, and people who work in settings where they have contact with people who are at increased risk for measles.
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