Mysterious outbreak in Texas: Fatal symptoms of growing measles cases revealed
As the number of confirmed measles infections in west Texas rises to 58, state health officials reported on Tuesday that children aged 5-17 account for the majority of cases (33), followed by children aged 0-4 with 15 cases. Gaines County has been the hardest hit with 45 cases, followed by Terry County with nine cases, and one to two cases each in Lubbock, Lynn, and Yoakum. Thirteen patients have required hospitalization.
Most of those affected are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status, although four cases have occurred in individuals who claim to be vaccinated. Given the highly contagious nature of the disease, the state agency warns that additional cases are likely in Gaines County and surrounding areas, emphasizing the importance of receiving two doses of the measles vaccine for prevention.
As measles cases continue to surge in Texas and neighboring states, it’s crucial to understand how the disease spreads and how the public can protect themselves. Here is essential information about measles, including symptoms and prevention:
– Measles is a highly contagious and vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus that primarily affects children. The virus spreads through respiratory secretions and can lead to severe complications.
– Symptoms of measles typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a distinctive rash. The virus is airborne and can remain contagious on surfaces for up to two hours.
– Measles can be serious and even fatal, particularly for young children, adults over 20, pregnant individuals, those with weakened immune systems, and the unvaccinated.
– Vaccination with the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is essential for prevention, typically administered in two doses during childhood.
Understanding the symptoms, risks, and prevention of measles is crucial in combating the ongoing outbreak and protecting public health.
A measles infection can easily become deadly, particularly in children. Historically, measles spread widely among American children before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, as reported by the CDC. Between 1942 and 1962, an estimated half a million new cases were recorded annually, a figure the CDC believes was likely closer to 4 million due to underreporting. During this period, approximately 400 to 500 individuals succumbed to the disease each year, with 48,000 requiring hospitalization and 4,000 experiencing encephalitis (brain swelling) triggered by measles, according to the CDC.
Even in modern times, serious complications and long-term effects still persist. About one in every 20 children with measles develops pneumonia, the primary cause of death in children with the virus. Additionally, one out of every 1,000 children who contract measles will develop encephalitis, leading to seizures, deafness, and developmental disabilities, as per CDC data. The CDC also mentions that one to three out of every 1,000 infected children may die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
A rare but severe long-term complication is Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a fatal nervous system disease resulting from a measles infection during early childhood. SSPE is a progressive brain swelling condition leading to the gradual loss of bodily functions, potentially culminating in a vegetative state or death, per the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Currently, there is no known cure for SSPE.
SSPE specifically arises from a persistent measles infection, presenting itself seven to ten years post-infection, even after the apparent recovery of the individual. During the U.S. measles outbreak between 1989 and 1991, the CDC estimated that seven to 11 individuals out of every 100,000 who contracted measles were at risk of developing SSPE. However, some studies suggest the risk could be as high as one in every 609 for infants under 15 months of age.
Measles is a preventable disease, with the U.S. having previously eliminated it in 2000 after a period of absence lasting over 12 months. However, in recent years, there has been a decline in childhood immunization rates against diseases like measles, leading to an increase in outbreaks. For instance, in 2019, a significant outbreak affected 1,249 individuals, marking the highest number of cases in a single year since 1992.
The measles vaccine is typically administered in combination with the mumps and rubella vaccines, collectively known as the MMR vaccines, in the U.S. Children usually receive MMR vaccinations as part of the standard immunization schedule between the ages of 12 to 15 months for the first dose and 4 to 6 years for the second dose. The vaccine offers protection against measles, mumps, and rubella, with a 97% efficacy rate in preventing measles when both doses are administered.
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