Measles Outbreak In US: New Mexico Reports Second Death - Tips To Keep Yourself Safe

Another person has died from a measles infection as an outbreak continues to spread in the United States, health officials confirmed. The adult, from Lea County, New Mexico, tested positive for the virus, though the official cause of death is still under investigation, according to a statement from the New Mexico Department of Health on March 6.

As of March 6, New Mexico has reported 10 confirmed cases of measles, all concentrated in Lea County. It remains unclear if the latest case is linked to the ongoing outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, which is located just 50 miles or 80 kilometres away.

Rising Measles Cases In The US

The measles outbreak is rapidly spreading across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 164 measles cases have been confirmed in the U.S. this year, with cases reported in multiple states, including Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas. The majority of infections are concentrated in the South Plains region of northwest Texas, where 159 cases have been reported since late January.

Nationwide, 32 individuals have been hospitalized, and two deaths have been reported so far. The first fatality was a school-aged child in Lubbock, Texas. Health officials confirmed that neither of the deceased patients had received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 95 per cent of cases so far have occurred in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.

Symptoms of Measles

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include:

In severe cases, measles can lead to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis or brain swelling, and even death. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, about one in five cases require hospitalization, and three in every one thousand cases result in death.

How to Protect Yourself from Measles

The most effective way to prevent measles is through vaccination. The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is 97 per cent effective in preventing measles when two doses are administered.

Here is how you can stay protected:

As measles cases rise across the United States, health officials urge everyone to stay vigilant and get vaccinated. “We don’t want to see New Mexicans getting sick or dying from measles,” said Dr Chad Smelser, Deputy State Epidemiologist at the New Mexico Department of Health. “The MMR vaccine is the best protection against this serious disease.”

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