Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

Unvaccinated Child Dies As Measles Outbreak Spreads In West Texas- How To Keep Children Safe?

The <span>measles outbreak</span> in Texas, US has reported the death of one child, the first reported fatality from the disease in the United States in almost a decade. The child from West Texas died in a hospital after contracting measles and was unvaccinated. The outbreak, which began late February, has now reached more than 160 reported cases in nine rural West Texas counties, the largest in the state in almost 30 years. Some cases have also been reported in eastern New Mexico, including four in children. 

The fact that the infections are concentrated in certain communities, specifically among the Mennonite community, has caused alarm over the low vaccination rates being responsible for spreading the disease at such a rapid rate.

The Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has offered his condolences to the deceased child's family but assured the public that state health officials, epidemiologists, and immunization teams are working diligently to control the outbreak. The Texas Department of State Health Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been tracking the cases closely, offering technical support, laboratory capacity, and vaccine supplies to the involved areas.

<h2>Role of Declining Vaccination Rates</h2>

Declining vaccination coverage is one of the major reasons for the comeback of measles in the U.S. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination coverage has fallen below the 95% level necessary to sustain herd immunity in most states. Texas has witnessed a growing number of school-aged children avoiding vaccinations. Gaines County, which has the largest number of cases, has the second-highest opt-out rate in the state and has nearly 14% of its K-12 students forgoing at least one mandated vaccine during the 2023-24 school year.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is very effective at preventing measles, but vaccine hesitancy and misinformation have led to decreased immunization coverage. The American Academy of Pediatrics has reaffirmed that the vast majority of children who get measles are either unvaccinated or not old enough to have received the vaccine, emphasizing the urgent need for public health measures.

<h2>What are the Possible Complications of Measles?</h2>

Measles is a highly infectious respiratory virus transmitted by airborne route. The virus remains active in the air for a maximum of two hours, and a patient can infect 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals within close contact. Symptoms are usually high fever, cough, watery eyes, and a rash, but the disease can result in serious complications like pneumonia, neurological damage, blindness, brain swelling, and even death.

In pregnant women and young children, the risks are even higher. Infection from measles can lead to stillbirth, premature birth, or serious developmental problems in infants. Moreover, the survivors can develop an extremely rare and fatal brain disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) years later.

State and federal health authorities are strengthening efforts to contain the outbreak. The CDC is supporting local health jurisdictions with vaccines, lab diagnostics, and technical assistance. At the same time, the Texas Department of State Health Services is performing contact tracing and educational outreach to promote vaccination, especially among under-immunized populations.

Public health officials are also calling on policymakers to strengthen immunization requirements for schoolchildren. Although the MMR vaccine is mandatory for admission to public schools, private religious schools and homeschooling groups tend to have fewer restrictions, raising the threat of outbreaks in these populations.

<h2>How to Protect Your Children During Measles Outbreak?</h2>

The most crucial thing you can do is ensure that all children and adults in your home are current on their recommended vaccinations — all of them.

Since measles is so contagious, it's also critical for parents to take precautions with children who are too young to be vaccinated or who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

If you reside in or are traveling to a region where several cases of measles have been reported in the recent past, it's crucial to minimize your vulnerable child's contact with other individuals and public places where infected individuals may have been.

Between outbreaks, it's okay to make routine errands with your baby — just remember to take the usual precautions to prevent your child from getting ill: Don't let strangers hold or play with your baby; avoid letting your child near anyone with a fever, cough, or other respiratory illness; and have you and your household members wash your hands frequently.

The recent outbreak of measles in Texas is a stark reminder of how precarious public health gains are when vaccination coverage falters. The disease was recognized as eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but gaps in immunization coverage have enabled it to reemerge, and it represents a very real threat to susceptible populations.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

measles outbreak

texas measles

measles death

vaccine rates

measles symptoms

measles cases

cdc measles

Fever, Chills And Sudden Death: All About The Mysterious Illness Killing People In Congo

Birthday Celebrations Gone Wrong When A Hydrogen Balloon Exploded, Leaving The 33-year-Old Birthday Girl With First And Second Degree Burns

Health News

10 Strength Exercises To Help You Burn Belly Fat

10 Food Habits That Are Ruining Your Health

10 Exercises You Should Do For Better Joint Health

10 Foods That Are High-Protein You May Not Know About

10 Fiber Rich Dinner Choices To Try

10 Ways To Curb Unhealthy Cravings

10 Healthy Egg Recipes You Can Try

​10 Morning Exercises You Should Do Everyday​

10 Protein Healthy Bread Recipes

10 Morning Habit You Should Teach Children

10 Nutty Recipes You Should Try For Your Health

10 Exercises You Should Do Before Sleeping

10 Exercises You Should Do For Arm Strength

10 Ways You Can Maximize Your Gym Exercises

10 Exercises You Can Do While Walking

10 Healthy Savoury Pancakes To Have For Breakfast

10 Herbal Tea Mixes For Winters

10 Habits To Ensure Your Teeth Health

10 Detox Juices You Should Try

10 Low Impact Exercises For Weight Loss

10 Foods That Should Be Part Of A Runners Diet

10 Gym Exercises Basketball Players Should Do

10 Light Foods You Can Eat Before Exercises

10 Ways To Beat The Sleep Spell In Office

10 Tips To Help Muscle Recovery

6-6-6 Walking Routine Can Help You Stay Fit

10 Breathing Exercises To Try When You’re Feeling Anxious

10 Ways To Beat Morning Fatigue

10 Type Of Squats You Can Do For Weight Loss

Soaked vs. Roasted Chickpeas: Which One is Healthier?

10 Ways For Busy People To Stay Active

10 High-Calorie Foods to Watch Out For At Gatherings

10 Brain Exercises to Improve Your Focus and Memory

Creative Ways to Complete Your 10,000 Steps Indoors

10 Best Carb Choices for Managing Type 2 Diabetes

10 White Foods to Avoid for Better Weight Loss Results

10 Delicious Mediterranean Diet Dinners: Low-Carb and High-Protein Options

Healthy and Protein-Packed Late-Night Snacks to Satisfy Your Cravings

10 Negative Habits That Drain Your Mind’s Power

10 Brain-Boosting Activities to Sharpen Your Mind

The measles outbreak in Texas, US has reported the death of one child, the first reported fatality from the disease in the United States in almost a decade. The child from West Texas died in a hospital after contracting measles and was unvaccinated. The outbreak, which began late February, has now reached more than 160 reported cases in nine rural West Texas counties, the largest in the state in almost 30 years. Some cases have also been reported in eastern New Mexico, including four in children. The fact that the infections are concentrated in certain communities, specifically among the Mennonite community, has caused alarm over the low vaccination rates being responsible for spreading the disease at such a rapid rate.The Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has offered his condolences to the deceased child's family but assured the public that state health officials, epidemiologists, and immunization teams are working diligently to control the outbreak. The Texas Department of State Health Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been tracking the cases closely, offering technical support, laboratory capacity, and vaccine supplies to the involved areas.Role of Declining Vaccination RatesDeclining vaccination coverage is one of the major reasons for the comeback of measles in the U.S. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination coverage has fallen below the 95% level necessary to sustain herd immunity in most states. Texas has witnessed a growing number of school-aged children avoiding vaccinations. Gaines County, which has the largest number of cases, has the second-highest opt-out rate in the state and has nearly 14% of its K-12 students forgoing at least one mandated vaccine during the 2023-24 school year.The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is very effective at preventing measles, but vaccine hesitancy and misinformation have led to decreased immunization coverage. The American Academy of Pediatrics has reaffirmed that the vast majority of children who get measles are either unvaccinated or not old enough to have received the vaccine, emphasizing the urgent need for public health measures.What are the Possible Complications of Measles?Measles is a highly infectious respiratory virus transmitted by airborne route. The virus remains active in the air for a maximum of two hours, and a patient can infect 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals within close contact. Symptoms are usually high fever, cough, watery eyes, and a rash, but the disease can result in serious complications like pneumonia, neurological damage, blindness, brain swelling, and even death.In pregnant women and young children, the risks are even higher. Infection from measles can lead to stillbirth, premature birth, or serious developmental problems in infants. Moreover, the survivors can develop an extremely rare and fatal brain disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) years later.State and federal health authorities are strengthening efforts to contain the outbreak. The CDC is supporting local health jurisdictions with vaccines, lab diagnostics, and technical assistance. At the same time, the Texas Department of State Health Services is performing contact tracing and educational outreach to promote vaccination, especially among under-immunized populations.Public health officials are also calling on policymakers to strengthen immunization requirements for schoolchildren. Although the MMR vaccine is mandatory for admission to public schools, private religious schools and homeschooling groups tend to have fewer restrictions, raising the threat of outbreaks in these populations.How to Protect Your Children During Measles Outbreak?The most crucial thing you can do is ensure that all children and adults in your home are current on their recommended vaccinations — all of them.Since measles is so contagious, it's also critical for parents to take precautions with children who are too young to be vaccinated or who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.If you reside in or are traveling to a region where several cases of measles have been reported in the recent past, it's crucial to minimize your vulnerable child's contact with other individuals and public places where infected individuals may have been.Between outbreaks, it's okay to make routine errands with your baby — just remember to take the usual precautions to prevent your child from getting ill: Don't let strangers hold or play with your baby; avoid letting your child near anyone with a fever, cough, or other respiratory illness; and have you and your household members wash your hands frequently.The recent outbreak of measles in Texas is a stark reminder of how precarious public health gains are when vaccination coverage falters. The disease was recognized as eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but gaps in immunization coverage have enabled it to reemerge, and it represents a very real threat to susceptible populations.