A person has died from measles in West Texas, marking the first fatality in an ongoing outbreak that has spread rapidly through the region since late January. The news of the death, confirmed by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center spokesperson, Melissa Whitfield, has raised alarm as the number of cases continues to grow.
The patient, who passed away overnight, was being treated at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock. However, hospital officials have yet to respond to requests for further comment, and the age and identity of the individual have not been disclosed. This death comes as the measles outbreak in rural West Texas has now affected 124 people across nine counties, with additional cases reported in eastern New Mexico.
According to the state health department, the number of cases has steadily increased since the outbreak was first identified in late January. Measles, a contagious respiratory virus, can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area, making it highly transmissible. The virus spreads through coughing, sneezing, and even talking, which allows it to spread rapidly in communities where people are in close contact with each other.
The outbreak has primarily affected the Mennonite community in the area, where people often travel between small towns that are separated by large expanses of land. These towns, although far apart, are tightly connected as people regularly move between them for work, church, and other daily activities. The large, tight-knit community has made it easier for the virus to spread as people travel between these areas.
Measles is a respiratory virus that can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and even death. While most children who contract the virus will recover, some may experience life-threatening complications, particularly those who are not vaccinated. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 9 out of 10 people who are exposed to measles and are not immune will get the virus.
The CDC also notes that measles is highly contagious, with an infected person able to spread the virus to others even before symptoms appear. This makes it difficult to control outbreaks, especially in communities where vaccination rates are low.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. The CDC recommends that all children receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine at age 1 and again at age 4. This two-dose vaccination schedule has been proven to be highly effective in preventing the disease and reducing its spread. However, in some communities, vaccination rates are lower, making them more vulnerable to outbreaks.
The outbreak has largely been concentrated in the Mennonite community in rural West Texas, where vaccination rates are often lower than in the general population. Mennonites, who are part of a religious group with a history of living in isolated communities, have sometimes been reluctant to vaccinate their children, citing religious or cultural beliefs.
In addition to the nine counties in West Texas, there are also nine reported cases in eastern New Mexico, further raising concerns that the outbreak could spread to neighbouring regions.
