Two Dead, Nearly 230 Infected in US Measles Outbreak, Authorities Warn

WASHINGTON, 8 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – A measles outbreak in the southwestern United States has resulted in two deaths and more than 200 infections, prompting health officials to issue a travel advisory.

As of Friday, Texas had reported 198 cases and New Mexico 30, bringing the total to 228. Each state confirmed one fatality, both involving unvaccinated individuals. The Texas victim was a child, while the New Mexico patient was an adult who tested positive for measles posthumously.

Although the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator has not officially released the cause of death for the adult patient, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified it as a measles-related fatality.

Rapid Spread and Health Advisory

The CDC has warned that the outbreak is expanding at a concerning rate and expects more cases in the coming weeks. In a Health Alert Network advisory issued to healthcare professionals, public health authorities, and travellers, the agency stressed the urgency of containment measures.

“With spring and summer travel approaching in the United States, clinicians and public health officials play a crucial role in preventing the further spread of measles,” the CDC stated.

The agency urged vigilance in identifying cases presenting with fever and rash, as well as promoting effective prevention strategies, including vaccination, particularly for those travelling internationally.

Measles: A Highly Contagious and Potentially Fatal Disease

Measles is an extremely contagious viral illness that spreads through respiratory droplets and can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected individual has left the area. Symptoms include fever, cough, and rash, but the disease can also lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and even death.

The measles vaccine remains the most effective form of protection. A single dose, recommended for children from 12 months of age, provides 93% lifetime immunity, while two doses increase protection to 97%.

Declining Vaccination Rates and the Role of Misinformation

Despite the effectiveness of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, immunisation rates in the US have been falling, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw a rise in vaccine misinformation.

The CDC recommends a 95% vaccination rate to ensure herd immunity; however, national coverage among kindergarten-aged children had dropped to 92.7% by the 2023-2024 academic year. Religious exemptions have become increasingly common, and the outbreak’s epicentre is a county in west Texas with a significant Mennonite population, a group historically hesitant towards vaccines.

The current US Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., previously spent decades promoting false claims linking the MMR vaccine to autism—a theory widely debunked by scientific research. Since the outbreak, he has adjusted his stance, encouraging vaccination while simultaneously advocating alternative treatments, including vitamin A and steroids. While these treatments have medical relevance, experts caution that prioritising them over vaccination could undermine immunisation efforts.

Historical Context of Measles Fatalities in the US

The last confirmed measles-related death in the US occurred in 2015 when a woman in Washington state succumbed to virus-induced pneumonia while on immunosuppressive medication. Before that, the previous fatality was in 2003.

Health experts stress that without an increase in vaccination rates, further outbreaks remain a serious risk. The CDC continues to urge parents, healthcare providers, and policymakers to reinforce the importance of immunisation to prevent further loss of life.