Texas Measles Outbreak: Second Child Dies, Marking First U.S. Deaths in a Decade
In a tragic update regarding the ongoing measles outbreak, health officials in Texas have announced the death of a second child linked to the disease. The precise circumstances surrounding the child’s death remain unclear, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
Official Response and Funeral Plans
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is expected to attend the funeral of the deceased child this Sunday, as confirmed by a spokesperson to NBC News.
Context of Recent Deaths
These two pediatric fatalities, along with an adult believed to have died from measles in New Mexico, represent the first reported measles-related deaths in the United States in the past ten years. This outbreak has intensified concerns among health officials regarding public health and vaccination awareness.
Current Measles Cases in Texas
Since the onset of this outbreak in January, Texas has reported a staggering 481 confirmed measles cases. This figure includes six young children from a daycare center in Lubbock who tested positive for the virus within the last fortnight. Among those infected, two have been hospitalized, contributing to the wider tally of 56 measles-related hospitalizations in the region since January.
Health Implications of Measles
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the mortality rate for measles is significant, with approximately one to three out of every 1,000 infected children succumbing to complications such as respiratory issues or neurological conditions. Furthermore, pneumonia is the leading cause of death in young patients with measles, affecting about one in twenty cases.
Spread of the Outbreak
The measles outbreak that began in Texas has now extended to at least 21 states, along with Washington, D.C. As of this year, the total number of measles cases reported nationwide has reached 628, prompting calls for increased awareness and preventive measures.
For continued updates and information on health guidelines related to measles, please consult the CDC or local health departments.
A second child with measles in Texas has died. (Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)
Since January, 481 cases of measles have been confirmed in Texas alone. (REUTERS/Annie Rice)
