Update (11:47 a.m. ET): The school-age child who died from measles was unvaccinated—amidst the largest measles outbreak in Texas in nearly 30 years. The majority of cases are among unvaccinated individuals.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, measles vaccination rates in the U.S. were relatively high. Among children aged 24 months, the MMR vaccination rate was 90.8% for the 2016 birth cohort. Among adolescents (13–17 years), it was 91.9% in 2019. The U.S. achieved measles elimination status in 2000 thanks to widespread vaccination, but declining rates and new outbreaks now put that status at risk.
Original article: The first measles death has been reported in West Texas amid the outbreak that has infected more than 100 people.
Melissa Whitfield, a spokesperson for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center confirmed the death to AP.
The patient’s identity and age were not shared.
As of Tuesday, the Texas outbreak had affected 124 people across nine counties, according to a statement from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
First death in the ongoing measles outbreak, per the Texas health department. Unvaccinated school-aged child. pic.twitter.com/yDuqMdO3Vb
— Dylan Scott (@dylanlscott) February 26, 2025
Cases have also been spreading to New Mexico, with a total of nine confirmed in that state so far.
DSHS noted that the best way to prevent sickness is to receive two doses of the vaccine against measles, “primarily administered” as the combination measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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Here we go again! CDC et.al. fear mongering!
Same as this “Avian Flu” garbaage. Big Pharma at work!
O brother! Do not blame it on those who are unvaccinated. Blame it on the open borders that Biden and his thugs did. Over the border they came…bringing all kinds of crimes, drugs, diseases and D votes. THEY are to blame and nobody else.