According to Reuters, the New Mexico health department has confirmed a surge in measles cases, with the current count at 44 cases, up from 43 reported on March 25. The majority of cases have been identified in Lea County, which shares a border with Gaines County in Texas. Gaines County is the epicenter of the measles outbreak that began in late January spanning both states. Out of the total infections, 32 cases involve individuals who were not vaccinated. Fortunately, there have been no new hospitalizations or fatalities linked to the disease in New Mexico. Recent outbreaks have been partially attributed to parents opting out of vaccinating their children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory to physicians on March 7, stating that the risk of widespread measles in the U.S. remains low. Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for expressing skepticism about immunization safety and efficacy, acknowledged the severity of the current measles outbreak in Texas and assured that the government is providing necessary resources, including vaccines. The reporting was contributed by Sriparna Roy and Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru, with editing by Maju Samuel and Shreya Biswas.
