(AmericanProsperity.com) – Although measles was declared eliminated in the 2000s, this infectious disease is now spreading to more states across the U.S.
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The deadly outbreak has already claimed the life of one unvaccinated child in Texas, highlighting the serious consequences of vaccine hesitancy.
A dangerous measles outbreak is expanding across America, with cases now confirmed in ten states: Texas, New Mexico, Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.
Texas remains the epicenter with 146 confirmed cases, followed by New Mexico’s Lea County, reporting nine cases. One child has died in Texas – the first measles death in the United States since 2015.
As of February 28, the nationwide outbreak had reached 164 confirmed cases, and officials warned the number could grow rapidly given the virus’s extreme contagiousness.
Most concerning is that 95% of cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, and approximately 20% of cases have resulted in hospitalization.
Health experts noted that measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to science. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room, putting anyone without immunity at extreme risk.
Scott Weaver, a center of excellence director for the Global Virus Network, shared:
“Before a vaccine was developed in the 1960s, everybody got measles. But then when the vaccine came along, that was a complete game-changer and one of the most successful vaccines in the history of medicine.”
The current outbreak highlights a troubling trend: MMR vaccination rates among kindergarteners have fallen from 95.2% in 2019-2020 to just 92.7% in 2023-2024.
Health officials warned this drop puts communities at risk, as 95% coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks through herd immunity.
The decline accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many parents delaying or skipping routine childhood vaccinations.
This resurgence of a once-eliminated disease raises questions about current public health policies and declining trust in government health agencies following controversial COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
While health officials continue to push for increased vaccination, many families are exercising their right to make medical decisions for their children.
Furthermore, the MMR vaccine provides strong protection, with two doses being 97% effective against measles.
Children typically receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age, but officials now recommend administering doses to children as young as 6 months in outbreak areas.
Infants under 6 months cannot be vaccinated, making them particularly vulnerable and dependent on others being vaccinated to maintain community protection.
Symptoms of measles include high fever, rash, cough, and red eyes, with the virus being contagious before symptoms appear.
Serious complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis, especially in young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, while unvaccinated individuals have a 90% chance of contracting measles if exposed.
Parents concerned about the outbreak should check their children’s vaccination records and consult with their healthcare providers about any needed boosters or catch-up vaccinations.
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