New Mexico Adult Dies of Measles Amid Growing Outbreak in Texas

A tragic fatality from measles has been reported in New Mexico, marking a grim escalation in a spreading outbreak. State health officials confirmed the death on Thursday, just over a week after an unvaccinated child in Texas succumbed to the disease. The outbreak, centered in west Texas, has so far sickened nearly 160 people.

The New Mexico victim, an unvaccinated adult, lived near the Texas border but did not seek medical care before passing away. While the exact cause of death is still under investigation, the case underscores the seriousness of the illness. Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist, stated, "We don’t want to see New Mexicans getting sick or dying from measles. The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is the best protection against this serious disease."

In Lea County, New Mexico, where this latest death occurred, the victim became the 10th confirmed case of measles. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is stepping in, dispatching a team to Texas to aid in managing the outbreak, which began in late January.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. weighed in, emphasizing the importance of measles vaccines for "community immunity." However, Kennedy maintained his stance on supporting personal choice, stating, "We’re going to do what’s right for the American people. We’re going to be honest about all the tests, all the studies, what we know, and what we don’t know." While his approach is nuanced, the message is clear: action is needed to curtail this outbreak.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the majority of those infected are unvaccinated children. The CDC recommends that all children receive two doses of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine and advises at least one dose for unvaccinated adults without "presumptive evidence of immunity."

The growing outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination in preventing the resurgence of diseases once thought to be nearly eradicated. While debates over personal choice versus public health continue, the consequences of inaction are becoming alarmingly clear.