A devastating measles outbreak in the American southwest has claimed the lives of two individuals, shedding light on the dangers of the highly contagious disease. New Mexico health officials have confirmed that a second person, identified as an unvaccinated adult, has succumbed to the virus, following the recent death of an unvaccinated child in neighboring Texas. These tragic fatalities mark the first deaths from measles in the United States since 2015, sending ripples of concern through communities and health authorities alike.
Measles, a disease that was once declared “eliminated” in the US in 2000, has made a resurgence, with Texas at the epicenter of the current outbreak. The state has reported a staggering 198 cases as of the latest count, a significant increase from previous reports. The neighboring state of New Mexico has also seen a spike in cases, with 30 confirmed infections, a threefold rise within a short period. The spread of measles has not been confined to these two states alone, as cases have been reported across the country and even in Canada.
The latest victim in New Mexico, a resident of Lea County, succumbed to the virus, though officials have not disclosed further details about the individual’s age or gender. The severity of measles cannot be understated, with one in five cases requiring hospitalization and approximately three in 1,000 cases resulting in death, according to information released by the New Mexico health department.
The tragic death of a previously healthy, unvaccinated six-year-old in Texas serves as a sobering reminder of the deadly potential of measles. While the disease had been declared eliminated over two decades ago, periodic outbreaks continue to occur, defined as three or more related cases. The recent surge in infections, surpassing 220 cases in the US within the first three months of the year, underscores the urgency of addressing the spread of measles.
Health authorities have identified a rural Mennonite community in Texas with low vaccination rates as the suspected origin of the current outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been closely monitoring the situation, as efforts intensify to contain the spread of the virus. Despite initial reports primarily from Texas and New Mexico, measles cases have been identified in several other states, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance and preventive measures.
Canada, too, has experienced a concerning increase in measles cases, surpassing the total number recorded in the entirety of the previous year within the first two months of 2025. The country’s Chief Public Health Officer, Theresa Tam, attributed the rise in infections to travelers exposed to the virus abroad. The importance of vaccination as a protective measure against measles cannot be overstated, with the MMR vaccine proving to be highly effective in preventing the disease.
Amidst the growing outbreak, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has expressed his concerns about the situation. In a published editorial, Kennedy
