Julio Cortez
Better get tested just in case.
Starting around March 7, 2025 there has been an epidemic of measles cases and has been identified in outbreaks in Western Texas and a nearby county in New Mexico. The authority said the rising totals and 2 recent deaths on the investigation of the case, is considered to be extremely under-evaluated.
The outbreak in Western Texas there shows 198 cases reported, an update on Friday, March 14 from the Texas Department of State Health
Services states 39 cases had occurred since Tuesday’s update. Another update on Friday in the New Mexico Department of Health, reports of- 30 measles cases in Lea County, NM, and 20 more were previously identified in the state. According to the health officials in both of the states, the cases were expected to increase due to the highly contagious measles epidemic.
About 23 patients have been hospitalized in Texas, one more than previously reported. On the other hand 64 more cases impacted people younger than 4, and then 89 impacted some people 5 to 17. The cases have been identified in 9 counties, but with the majority, about 137 in Gaines County, where it was first identified and accounted for. A month ago, an announcement from Texas said the first outbreak’s first victim, a child who was not vaccinated; therefore had no rudimentary conditions and immediately had been hospitalized.
Health Officials in New Mexico said on Thursday that they’re on the move to investigate the cause of death of an unvaccinated person who tested positive for measles from Lea County who had not pursued health care. Lea County, NM borders Gaines County, TX and the health officials said they have not yet confirmed a link between the epidemic in both states. On the impact of the case in New Mexico, 11 are in children 17 or younger, about 15 are people 18 and older, and about 4 cases are uncertain, according to the CDC. They issued a Health Alert Network advisory Friday to inform the providers about the measles epidemic in Texas and New Mexico and urge vaccination.
The most important tool to prevent a measles outbreak is the Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination and it still remains till this day. On
the other hand to prevent measles from infecting and spreading from imported cases, all of the U.S. residents should be up-to-date on their
MMR vaccinations, also especially before traveling internationally; in which regardless of the destination as the advisory reads.
About 1 to 3 of 1,000 minors who have measles will possibly die because of the virus difficulty, which is confirmed by the CDC. “They’ve had 2 deaths, “ that was confirmed by Dr. Paul Offit, who is the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital. Offit said, “I think what this information tells you is that they have extremely underestimated the number of cases that are in those communities.” The US Centers for Disease Control and Anticipation needs to help clear up how universal infections are. According to Offit, “you need the CDC to put people on the ground, to do sufficient case-hunting to get a much better idea of who was the first one to get infected with measles. A team from the CDC experts have arrived at Texas to reinforce the local and state response to this epidemic.
On the authority from an agency spokesperson. It was confirmed that the State Health Department said it expected assistance, requesting 7 experts needed “for assistance with the investigation of the case by tracking some exposures at hospitals and also including guidance to proper health care on providers for the infection prevention and control practices”. The Senior press officer for the Texas Department of State Health Services, Lara Anton said in an email to CNN.
On the other hand New Mexico has been keeping in touch with the CDC for some technical advice, but hasn’t requested further assistance. On
the authority from David Morgan, public information officer at the New Mexico Department of Health. Both Health Departments in New Mexico and Texas have been promoting free MMR vaccines for available residents. In February, 2,400 MMR vaccinations were given to New Mexico adults across doctors’ offices and public clinics, 4 times more than last February.
The number of vaccinations for the kids in the state is rising as well; therefore, about 400 more vaccines this February than from last year. It was confirmed by the state Health Department that they shared data with CNN.
According to Robert Nott, communications director for the New Mexico Department of Health, “we believe people would want to make sure that they are caught up for their vaccinations, particularly with a regional measles epidemic. On the other hand, Texas vaccinations has expanded guidelines for residents in particular counties with measles cases; which was a previous recommendation were bounded to Gaines County. In Gaines, Dawson, Martin, Terry, Lynn and Yoakum counties, little
infants 6 to 11 months should be required to get the MMR vaccine, but will then proceed the CDC’s normal schedule for the following 2 doses. It was required by the state that a minor older than 12 months who have gotten 1 dose of MMR to get their 2nd vaccination asap if it is at least 28 days after their first.
Another thing some adults with no immunity are urged to get a vaccine, with the 2nd dose 28 days afterward. When adults are born between 1957 and 1968 who received an older MMR vaccine should get a dose of the new vaccine, with a pursue dose 28 days later. Confirmed by the experts they said more needs to be done to motivate vaccination in both of the states.