Despite some hopeful signs, measles continues to spread across the U.S., with the country approaching 1,200 confirmed cases this year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national tally hit 1,197 as of Friday. But there was a silver lining: health officials in Ohio declared three outbreaks in two counties officially over.

Measles Remains a Serious Threat

Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even breathes. Although preventable with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, the disease is making a comeback in areas with low vaccination rates.

Since January, outbreaks have erupted in at least nine U.S. states, with three confirmed deaths — two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico. All were unvaccinated.

Where Are the Outbreaks Happening?

Here’s a breakdown of current measles activity by state:

Texas

Texas has been hit hardest, with 744 cases across 35 counties — most in West Texas. Gaines County alone has seen 411 cases in a largely undervaccinated Mennonite community. Two children have died, including an 8-year-old in April and a 6-year-old in February. State officials estimate fewer than 10 current cases are actively infectious.

New Mexico

The state has reported 81 total cases, with seven hospitalizations and one death — an unvaccinated adult who did not seek care. Most cases are in Lea County, with smaller numbers in several others.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma has 16 confirmed and three probable cases. The state hasn’t released details about which counties are affected.

Arizona

Arizona has four confirmed cases in Navajo County, all linked to recent international travel. None of the individuals were vaccinated.

Colorado

Colorado has seen 14 cases this year, including an eight-case outbreak tied to a Turkish Airlines flight that landed in Denver in May. Cases have been reported in Arapahoe, El Paso, and Denver counties, among others.

Illinois

Illinois confirmed an eight-case outbreak in the far southern part of the state. Two additional, unrelated cases were found in Cook County.

Kansas

Kansas has recorded 76 cases across 11 counties, mainly in the southwest. Three people have been hospitalized.

Montana

Montana reported its first measles cases in 35 years, with 20 confirmed. Gallatin County is the main hotspot, but other cases are spread across four counties.

North Dakota

North Dakota now has 34 cases, its first since 2011. The largest clusters are in Williams, Grand Forks, and Cass counties. All patients were unvaccinated.

Other U.S. states reporting sporadic cases this year include:
Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Canada and Mexico Also Battling Outbreaks

The measles problem isn’t limited to the U.S.

• Ontario, Canada is seeing its longest-running outbreak, with 2,083 cases and one infant death reported as of June 10.
• Alberta has recorded 868 cases.
• Mexico’s Chihuahua state has reported 2,179 cases and four deaths.

How Is Measles Spreading?

Most U.S. outbreaks begin with someone infected abroad who brings the virus back to a community with low vaccination coverage. According to the CDC, imported cases have more than doubled compared to the same time last year — largely from unvaccinated Americans returning home.

In 2019, the U.S. came dangerously close to losing its “measles elimination” status due to a surge in cases.

What to Know About the MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and the best defense against measles. Children should receive:

• The first dose between 12 and 15 months
• A second dose between 4 and 6 years old

Adults who are unsure of their immunity can safely receive another dose. Those vaccinated before 1968 with a “killed” virus version of the vaccine should get revaccinated. People born before 1957 likely have natural immunity.

High community vaccination rates — ideally above 95% — help create “herd immunity,” protecting even those who can’t be vaccinated. Unfortunately, U.S. childhood vaccination rates have dropped since the pandemic, with more parents claiming personal or religious exemptions.

What Are the Symptoms of Measles?

Measles starts like a bad cold:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes

Three to five days later, a rash appears — starting on the face and spreading down the body. The fever can spike over 104°F during this time.

While most kids recover, complications like pneumonia, blindness, brain inflammation, or even death can occur — especially in young children and unvaccinated individuals.

Is There a Cure?

There’s no direct treatment for measles. Medical care focuses on relieving symptoms, staying hydrated, and preventing complications.

Source: AP News – US measles count nears 1,200 cases as Ohio officials confirm 3 outbreaks are over

The post Texas and New Mexico Report Measles Deaths as National Case Count Rises appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Outbreak in West Texas Claims Life of Unvaccinated Child

An unvaccinated child in rural West Texas has died from measles, marking the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015, according to state health officials. The school-aged child, whose identity remains undisclosed, passed away on Tuesday night after being hospitalized at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock.

The tragic death comes amid the largest measles outbreak in Texas in nearly 30 years, with 124 confirmed cases across nine counties since the outbreak began in January 2024.

What We Know About the Outbreak

• Location: Rural towns in West Texas, especially Gaines County
• Total Cases: 124 across 9 counties
• Hospitalizations: Over 20 patients admitted to Covenant Children’s Hospital
• Affected Group: Predominantly unvaccinated Mennonite communities
• Symptoms: Respiratory issues, pneumonia, and some requiring intubation or oxygen support

Dr. Amy Thompson, CEO of Covenant Health, called the child’s death a “serious consequence” of the outbreak, urging communities to prioritize vaccination efforts.

How the Virus Is Spreading

Measles cases are concentrated in undervaccinated communities with low immunization rates. Gaines County, the hardest-hit area, has one of Texas’ highest rates of vaccine exemptions, with nearly 14% of school-aged children skipping at least one required vaccine last year.

The highly contagious virus spreads through coughing, sneezing, or breathing the same air and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.

Federal Response and Controversy

U.S. health officials, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are monitoring the outbreak. However, Kennedy’s comments downplaying the outbreak and claiming hospitalized patients were only in “quarantine” were quickly refuted by doctors on the ground.

“We don’t hospitalize patients for quarantine purposes,” said Dr. Lara Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Covenant.

The CDC is providing vaccines, technical support, and laboratory assistance, while Texas health officials are leading the containment efforts.

Measles Symptoms and Risks

Measles often begins with:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Rash starting on the face and spreading across the body

While most people recover, measles can lead to serious complications like:

• Pneumonia
• Brain swelling
• Blindness
• Death

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family

The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe, effective, and highly recommended to prevent infection. The CDC advises:

• First Dose: 12-15 months
• Second Dose: 4-6 years

Despite the vaccine’s effectiveness, vaccination rates have dropped nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic, putting communities at higher risk of outbreaks.

Why Is This Outbreak Happening Now?

Public health officials warn that declining vaccination rates—combined with vaccine misinformation—are creating dangerous gaps in herd immunity. Most states are now below the 95% vaccination threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.

The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, but cases have been rising since 2024, including a major outbreak in Chicago with over 60 infections.

What’s Next for Texas and the U.S.?

Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office confirmed that vaccination teams have been deployed to affected areas. Health officials are urging families to:

• Get vaccinated
• Isolate infected individuals
• Report symptoms to healthcare providers

Meanwhile, the CDC is expected to provide weekly updates on the outbreak as the situation develops.

Bottom Line

The Texas measles outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination. With cases rising and vaccine misinformation spreading, health officials are urging communities to protect themselves and their families.

Vaccines are safe, effective, and life-saving—and this tragic death could have been prevented.

Key Facts at a Glance

How You Can Help

Get vaccinated
Encourage friends and family to vaccinate
Stay informed through official health channels

Final Thoughts

The resurgence of measles in Texas highlights the critical role of vaccines in preventing once-eliminated diseases. While health officials work to contain the outbreak, communities must come together to prioritize immunization efforts and stop the spread of preventable illnesses.

Source

The post Texas Reports First Measles Death in a Decade Amid Outbreak appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, has doubled in size, reaching 48 confirmed cases, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on Friday. The outbreak, first identified in late January, has been steadily growing.

Rising Case Numbers Across Counties

• Gaines County: 42 cases (the epicenter of the outbreak).
• Terry County: 3 cases.
• Yoakum County: 2 cases.
• Lynn County: 1 case.

Health officials warn that more cases are expected due to the highly contagious nature of measles.

Who is Affected?

• All cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
• Most infections are in children aged 5 to 17 years.
• Symptoms appeared within the last three weeks.
• Hospitalizations: 13 patients have required hospital care.

Measles Spreading Beyond Texas

The outbreak has crossed state lines into Lea County, New Mexico, where three cases have been confirmed this week.

• The first case involved an unvaccinated teenager.
• The vaccination status of the other two cases remains unknown.
• Health officials suspect the New Mexico cases are linked to the Texas outbreak.

What is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that spreads through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include:
Fever
Cough
Red eyes
Rash

In severe cases, measles can lead to blindness, pneumonia, or encephalitis (brain swelling). It can also be fatal.

Low Vaccination Rates in Gaines County

• Nearly 1 in 5 kindergarteners (18%) in Gaines County did not receive the MMR vaccine in the 2023-24 school year.
• This is one of the highest vaccine exemption rates in Texas, increasing the risk of outbreaks.

Efforts to Control the Outbreak

The Texas health department is collaborating with:

• South Plains Public Health District
• Lubbock Public Health

Free Vaccination Clinics

Texas:

• 80+ people have received free MMR vaccinations at clinics in Gaines County.
• Clinics are now open 7 days a week.

New Mexico:

• Free vaccines available at public health clinics in Lea County for the next two weeks.

Measles on the Rise in the U.S.

• 285 cases were reported nationwide in 2023, the highest since 2019.
• Measles cases in 2024: Reported in Texas, Alaska, New Mexico, Georgia, Rhode Island, and New York City.
• U.S. vaccination rates falling:
  • A record 125,000 kindergarteners lacked at least one required vaccine last year.
  • The U.S. goal is 95% MMR vaccine coverage in kindergarteners, but the country has missed this target for four years in a row.

Takeaway

With low vaccination rates and rising cases, health officials urge immediate vaccination to prevent further spread of this highly contagious and potentially deadly disease.

Get vaccinated. Protect yourself. Stop the spread.

Source

The post Texas Measles Cases Surge: Health Officials Warn of More to Come appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.