The New Mexico Department of Health reported today that the state has recorded its first fatality due to measles. Following the individual’s passing, testing confirmed the presence of the measles virus. The exact cause of death is under investigation. The adult had not received the measles vaccination and did not seek medical attention before succumbing to the illness.
Measles cases are rapidly increasing in West Texas, with 159 confirmed cases, primarily in Gaines County. In nearby Lea County, New Mexico, 10 cases have been reported. Tragically, a school-age child in Texas recently became the first fatality of this outbreak and the first measles-related death in the United States in ten years. Many affected individuals in Texas had not been vaccinated, including the child who passed away.
Health experts stress the importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing measles as it is 97% effective with two doses. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. highlighted in an editorial that vaccines play a crucial role in protecting individuals and promoting community immunity. However, Kennedy, a well-known anti-vaccine advocate, emphasized that the decision to vaccinate remains a personal choice for parents.
