Measles Outbreak Expanding

The number of measles cases identified in west Texas and New Mexico has jumped to nearly 230, and measles cases are now in at least 12 states.

In the west Texas outbreak, which accounts for the vast majority of cases, 39 have been reported in just three days.

“The only way to stop an outbreak of measles is to prevent infections,” Yale University’s Doctor F. Perry Wilson said.

To prevent infections, health officials say more people need to get the measles mumps rubella vaccine. 

Typically, the first dose is given to children ages 12 to 15 months and is 93% effective. The second, given to kids between four and six years old, is about 97% effective, according to the CDC.

“The MMR vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines we have against viral illness,” Doctor Wilson said.

Doctor Wilson says the amount of misinformation surrounding vaccines has led to fewer people getting vaccinated, and that’s how an outbreak starts.

So far, two people – a school-age child in Texas and an adult in Mexico – have died, likely as a result from the measles. Both were unvaccinated.

“We should be very alarmed. We haven’t seen a death of a child from measles in over a decade in this country,” Harvard University’s Doctor Mary T. Bassett said.

Measles is highly contagious. The disease causes a rash of red spots, fever, cough and red watery eyes.

It can cause serious illness and even death, especially in young children.

“It is the most infectious human virus, more infectious than Covid, more infectious than HIV,” Doctor Wilson said.