Measles Outbreak Spreads Across Texas and New Mexico, First Us Death Reported in a Decade
The first reported measles death in the U.S. in a decade has occurred in West Texas, where the outbreak has grown from a handful of cases to over 130 across two states. The child who died was not vaccinated against the disease, highlighting concerns about declining vaccination rates and the spread of highly contagious airborne diseases. The ongoing outbreak is primarily among children and teenagers, with most cases concentrated in a rural Mennonite community in Gaines County, where vaccination rates are lower.
- The fact that this outbreak is centered in a close-knit, under-vaccinated community underscores the need for targeted efforts to increase vaccine uptake and address social determinants of health that contribute to outbreaks.
- As measles continues to spread, what role will Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services play in addressing vaccine hesitancy and protecting existing vaccination programs?