The overwhelming majority of cases are individuals who have not been vaccinated, according to the Texas Department of State Health Department.
Texas, USA – Texas health officials report an update released Friday morning that continues to increase in measles incidents.
The Texas Department of Health reported that 259 measles cases have been identified in 11 counties since late January. There are 34 patients hospitalized.
The state health department breaks down cases according to age. In most cases, the age group is between 5 and 17 years old, with 115 cases. The next best group is 86 cases between 0 and 4 years old. There were 46 cases among people over the age of 18.
The vast majority of cases are unvaccinated individuals. According to the DSHS, 257 cases are from people who have not been vaccinated or have no known vaccination status. There are only two cases of people who have been vaccinated.
There was one measles-related death reported in Texas. The patient was a school-age child who lived in the outbreak area of ​​South Plains. The child was not vaccinated and the underlying conditions were unknown.
However, New Mexico health officials have reported deaths in an adult infected with measles, but the virus has not been confirmed as a cause.
Related: Unvaccinated adults with measles infection in New Mexico
A spokesperson for the state health department said in a statement earlier this month that the deceased had not been vaccinated and did not seek medical care. The person’s exact age and other details were not released immediately.
The patient came from Lee County across the state line in the West Texas area where measles cases were identified. New Mexico health officials have not linked the state outbreak to the Texas incident.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it would send a team to Texas to help local public health officials respond to the outbreak, which began in late January.
Measles is a respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to 2 hours. According to the CDC, up to nine out of 10 people who have not been vaccinated will be ingested if exposed.
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines are safe and extremely effective in preventing infections and severe cases. The first shot is recommended for children aged 12-15 months and for second doses for ages 4-6.
“I don’t want to see New Mexicans get sick or dying from measles,” said Dr. Chad Smercer, assistant national epidemiologist in New Mexico. “The Measles Mumps Lubera vaccine is the best protection against this serious illness.”
