Measles is on the rise in West Texas and New Mexico, with over 290 cases reported. Many of those affected are school-aged children who have not been vaccinated. Additionally, there are four cases in Oklahoma linked to these outbreaks. Twelve other states have reported isolated instances, often attributed to international travel.
The Texas outbreak began in late January when health officials identified two cases in Gaines County, an agricultural area on the state’s western edge. It quickly spread, affecting at least 259 individuals, including 34 hospitalizations and one unvaccinated child who tragically died, marking the first measles-related death in the U.S. in a decade.
In New Mexico, an outbreak was declared in Lea County, bordering Gaines County. While not officially linked to the Texas outbreak, officials believe the cases are “undoubtedly related.”
The spread is mainly among those unvaccinated or with uncertain vaccination status. In Gaines County, low vaccination rates persist, partly due to the area’s large Mennonite community, which traditionally avoids medical intervention.
Currently, only 82% of kindergarteners in Gaines County are vaccinated, well below the 95% needed for community immunity. Texas schools mandate certain vaccines, but exemptions for “conscientious reasons” are common in Gaines County, one of the highest in the state.
In contrast, Lea County, N.M. boasts a 94% M.M.R. vaccination rate for children and teens, yet adult coverage lags at 55% for two doses.
Measles, one of the most contagious diseases, can have severe complications, such as pneumonia and brain swelling. Vaccination remains vital, with two M.M.R. doses being 97% effective in preventing infection.
Experts worry that falling vaccination rates nationwide might jeopardize the U.S.’s elimination status achieved in 2000.
Vocabulary List:
- Outbreak /ˈaʊt.breɪk/ (noun): A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease in a specific area.
- Contagious /kənˈteɪ.dʒəs/ (adjective): Able to be transmitted from one person to another especially in reference to disease.
- Hospitalization /ˌhɒspɪtlʌɪˈzeɪʃən/ (noun): The process of being admitted to a hospital for treatment.
- Complications /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃənz/ (noun): Secondary problems or conditions that arise from a primary illness.
- Vaccination /ˌvæk.sɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ (noun): The act of receiving a vaccine to protect against a disease.
- Exemptions /ɪɡˈzɛmptʃənz/ (noun): Exclusions from a rule or requirement such as vaccination requirements.
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