The number of measles cases linked to an outbreak in western Texas has risen to 309, with 30 cases reported in the last three days, according to new data released Friday.
This means that the total number of Texas cases linked to the outbreak in less than two months has surpassed the number confirmed for the entire year in the United States, which saw 285 cases nationwide, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
Almost all of the cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those whose vaccination status is unknown. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reports that at least 40 people have been hospitalized so far.
Only two cases have occurred in people who have been fully vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
Children and teenagers aged 5 to 17 account for the majority of cases (130), followed by children aged 4 and under (102).
This year, there have been two measles-related deaths in the United States, one confirmed and one under investigation.
The confirmed death was of an unvaccinated school-aged child in Texas. The child had no known underlying conditions, according to DSHS.
According to CDC data, this was the first death from measles in the United States in a decade.
A possible second measles death has been reported after an unvaccinated New Mexico resident tested positive for the virus after their death. The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) said the official cause of death is still being investigated.
New Mexico has reported 38 measles cases this year, according to the NMDOH. Many of the cases were confirmed in Lea County, which borders western Texas.
Health officials suspect there is a link between the Texas and New Mexico cases, but this has not been confirmed.
This year, the CDC has confirmed 378 cases of measles in at least 17 states, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. This is most likely an underestimate due to delays in states reporting cases to the federal health agency.
The CDC reported that the majority of nationally confirmed cases, approximately 95%, are in people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. According to the CDC, 3% of those cases were among those who received only one dose of the MMR inoculation, while 2% were among those who received both doses.
The CDC recommends that people get two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first at 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
According to the CDC, one dose is 93% effective, while two doses are 97% effective in preventing measles. According to the health agency, most previously vaccinated adults do not require a booster shot.
In response to the growing measles outbreak, the CDC issued an alert on March 7, advising parents in the outbreak area to consider giving their children their first MMR vaccine between the ages of 6 and 11 months, followed by the previously recommended doses at 12-15 months and then at 4-6 years old, for a total of three vaccinations.
Texas health officials have also recommended that infants living in outbreak areas receive an early vaccination.
