Measles Outbreak Texas New update in the US: What You Need to Know

Researchers say some people should get an extra dose of the measles vaccine as cases of measles outbreak texas keep increasing in Texas and nearby states.

The measles outbreak in the United States is getting worse, with no sign of stopping. As of March 18, there were 279 cases in Texas, 38 in New Mexico, and up to 4 in Oklahoma.

In Gaines County, Texas, the center of the outbreak, a six-year-old child who was not vaccinated died from measles. In New Mexico, an unvaccinated adult may have also died from the disease.

“We haven’t seen any signs that the outbreak is slowing down,” says William Moss, a disease expert at Johns Hopkins University.

While health officials are working to stop the spread, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has a history of opposing vaccines, has given only weak support for the measles vaccine. Furthermore, this vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent the disease.

Instead, Kennedy has suggested treatments like cod liver oil, steroids, and antibiotics, but none of these work against measles. (He says he is not against vaccines but believes people should choose for themselves.)

Experts spoke to Nature about how serious the outbreak could become.

How big could the measles outbreak texas become?

It is hard to say how big the measles outbreak texas will get. William Moss compares it to a forest fire spreading sparks.

If a spark lands in a place like Maryland, where 97% of people are vaccinated, it will die out quickly. But if it reaches communities with low vaccination rates, there could be many large outbreaks.

“I think the number of cases could reach thousands,” says Paul Offit, a virus expert at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Why is measles so incredibly infectious?

Measles is the most contagious disease that spreads directly from person to person.

Scientists use a number called R0 to measure how many people one sick person is likely to infect. For measles, this number is 12 to 18, which is very high. In comparison, early COVID-19 had an R0 of about 1.4 to 2.5, and the flu has an R0 of 1 to 2.

Measles spreads so easily that in 1991, one athlete with measles in a sports stadium infected 16 people, including 2 who were sitting 30 meters away—about the length of a gym.

Measles spreads very easily because only a tiny amount of the virus can infect someone.

The virus spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. If a person with measles walks through a room, the virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

At first, measles can seem like a common cold, with fever, cough, and runny nose in the first 2–4 days. Because of this, people may not realize they have measles and do not stay away from others. Moreover even when they are very contagious. The red rash, which is a clear sign of measles, usually appears several days later.

What are the long-term effects of measles?

Measles outbreak texas can be deadly

Measles can cause death. Out of every 1,000 unvaccinated children, 1 to 3 may die from the disease.

About 5–6% of people with measles develop pneumonia, which is the main cause of death in young children. Measles can also lead to blindness or hearing loss.

Serious Long-Term Effects of Measles

One of the most dangerous long-term effects is a rare brain disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). It happens years after a measles outbreak texas and causes memory loss, personality changes, and dementia. Sadly, it is almost always fatal.

Another long-term problem is ‘immune amnesia’. Therefore Measles destroys antibodies that help the body remember how to fight infections. This makes people more likely to get sick with other diseases for 2–3 years after having measles.

Measles Symptoms Can Be Very Uncomfortable

Even when measles is not fatal, it can cause painful symptoms like:

• Mouth ulcers
• Ear infections
• Croup (a barking cough)
• Laryngitis (throat infection)
• Diarrhea

Read More: Legionnaires’ Disease Australia: Health Alert Issued After New 6 Cases

Vaccination is the Best Protection

“The way we stop measles outbreak texas is to vaccinate,” says William Moss. Furthermore the measles vaccine is safe and effective and can prevent serious illness and death. For more info : measles outbreak spread to more states.