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The measles outbreak in West Texas is nearing 200 circumstances, in line with a Friday morning replace from the state well being division.
Well being officers mentioned 198 circumstances have been recognized since late January. Twenty-three of these sufferers have been hospitalized, and one school-age, unvaccinated youngster has died.
Measles is without doubt one of the most contagious viruses on this planet and spreads principally amongst unvaccinated folks. Three months in, Texas has already reported extra measles circumstances in 2025 than in some other full yr since 1992.
Of the 198 circumstances, 80 had been in individuals who had been unvaccinated, and 113 had been in folks whose vaccination standing was unknown, in line with the state well being division.
The outbreak began in Gaines County, close to the New Mexico border. At 137 circumstances, it’s nonetheless residence to the overwhelming majority of sufferers. Terry County follows at 29.
Texas’ depend does not embrace 30 measles circumstances reported in New Mexico, which officers have mentioned had been doubtless linked to the West Texas outbreak.
Whereas there is not any proof the outbreak has unfold to North Texas, docs say they’re preaching the identical factor to each involved mother or father: Be sure you and your kids are vaccinated.
“The most robust way that we have to prevent measles is by the vaccination,” mentioned Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, the medical director for An infection Prevention and Management at Kids’s Medical Middle Plano. “It’s a very effective vaccine and it’s a very safe vaccine.”
The 2-dose MMR vaccine is 97% efficient at stopping the sickness, which implies vaccinated persons are unlikely to catch the virus. Well being consultants advocate the primary dose be administered to infants between 12 and 15 months outdated, with the second dose administered when the kid is 4 to six years outdated.
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West Texas measles outbreak nears 200 circumstances, state well being officers report (2025, March 10)
retrieved 10 March 2025
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