By Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
The measles outbreak affecting Texas and New Mexico has now surpassed 300 cases, surpassing the 285 measles cases reported in the United States last year.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported 279 measles cases in the state, an increase of 20 from a March 18 update.
The outbreak remains concentrated in Gaines County, where the number of cases has risen from 174 to 191, according to DSHS. Hospitalizations have also increased from 34 to 36.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and surrounding communities,” DSHS said in a statement, adding that it is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
Officials have said they may never know how the outbreak began. The first cases were reported in Gaines County in January. The initial patient identified had no international travel history, and investigators have been unable to identify the source of the infection.
Of the 279 cases in Texas, 277 patients were classified as either unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination, meaning they had not had a documented dose of measles vaccine at least 14 days before symptoms appeared.
In New Mexico, officials announced on March 14 that the number of cases had increased from 33 to 35. Two cases were confirmed in Eddy County, while the remaining cases were in Lea County, which borders Gaines County, Texas.
One child in the Texas outbreak area died after contracting measles, according to DSHS. The child, who was school-age and unvaccinated, had no known medical conditions.
In New Mexico, officials are continuing to investigate the cause of death of a deceased Lea County resident who tested positive for measles.
“We don’t want New Mexicans to get sick or die from measles,” Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist for the New Mexico Department of Health, said in a statement. “The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against this serious disease.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend vaccination as the best protection against measles. According to the CDC, one dose of measles vaccine is 93 percent effective, while two doses offer 97 percent protection against the virus.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced that vaccines would be made available in Texas. He also noted that patients receiving vitamin A and other supportive care had shown positive results.
Measles usually begins with a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. The rash usually appears three to five days later, starting on the face before spreading throughout the body.
The virus spreads easily through the air and can persist for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. People infected with measles are contagious four days before symptoms appear and remain contagious for about four days after the rash appears. Health officials say 90 percent of unvaccinated people exposed to measles become infected.
