Texas Measles Outbreak Causes Death of a Second Child
Illness has sickened over 480 people in the state since late January
A second child who was diagnosed with measles has died in Texas, marking another death in a growing measles outbreak that has so far sickened hundreds of people, hospitalized dozens and spread to nearby states.
The school-age child was being treated for measles-related complications at UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas, a spokesman for the health system said in a written statement to The Wall Street Journal. The child, who died within the past few days, wasn’t vaccinated and didn’t have any known underlying health conditions, according to the spokesman, Aaron Davis.
“This unfortunate event underscores the importance of vaccination,” Davis said.
Another child in Texas died in February, marking the first measles-related death in the U.S. in a decade. Officials in New Mexico are also investigating the death of an unvaccinated Lea County resident who tested positive for measles.
More than 480 people have been sickened with measles in Texas since the outbreak began in late January, a growing tally as local public-health officials urge residents to vaccinate themselves and their children.
At least 54 people in New Mexico have tested positive for measles. The state’s health department said it believes the cases are related to the Texas outbreak. Oklahoma reported 10 cases linked to the outbreak. And Kansas health-department officials said there is a possible link between about two dozen measles cases there and the Texas outbreak.