Texas Girl dies of measles, the second death of a child in the midst of the state’s outbreak

• A second child has died of measles in Texas, where there have been 481 known cases of measles, from April 4, since January
• The 8-year-old girl was unvaccinated and had no existing permits, according to the hospital where she received treatment
• This is the second death from measles since the outbreak began

A second child in Texas has died from measles in the middle of the state’s outbreak.

New York Times Reported that an 8-year-old girl died on Thursday, April 3 at UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas. People confirmed the child’s death with the hospital, who said they “are deeply sad” and noted that the child was unvaccinated.

“It is important to note that the child was not vaccinated against measles and had no known underlying health conditions,” UMC Health System said in a statement. “This unfortunate event emphasizes the importance of vaccination. Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, especially for those who are unvaccinated.”

“We encourage all individuals to keep up to date with their vaccinations to protect themselves and the wider community,” the hospital added.

This marks the second confirmed measles death in the US in a decade. The first death was also an unvaccinated child of school age, per Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

From Friday, April 4, Texas DSH’s 481 known cases of measles and 56 hospitalization in western Texas reported since the outbreak began in January.

In a statement from March 28, the department wrote: “Due to the highly infectious nature of this disease, further cases will probably occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS works with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.”

The current outbreak has also spread to surrounding states, with 54 people getting sick of New Mexico and 10 King Watch Holy Ghostper health departments in both states. In addition, health officials in Western Texas predict that the outbreak could last up to one yearper The times. Experts too told the outlet that if the outbreak continues at the current rate, the United States may lose its status as a measles-eliminated nation, as it reached in 2000.

In an e -mail message to People on Saturday, April 6, a representative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wrote that CDC “is aware Second measles in TexasAnd our thoughts are with the family. ”

They further noted that they continue to provide “technical assistance, laboratory support and vaccines as needed to the Texas Department of State Health Services.”

In February Booster pictures: The urgent lessons of measles and the uncertain future of children’s healthThe told people That the outbreak is bound to a reduction in the vaccination rate since the pandemic.

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“This is symbolic of trends in vaccination of childhood, but also in how people think of public health, which is disturbing and is also worrying for people who are not directly involved in this outbreak,” Ratner said.

Before the vaccine was infected between 3 and 4 million people with measles in the United States each year, According to CDCAnd 400 to 500 people died of the highly contagious virus.

Per CDCCommon measles symptoms include a runny nose, high fever, red, aquatic eyes and rashes. They noted that the disease can cause “serious health complications” – especially in children under five years. CDC stated that the best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine, which provides “long -lasting” protection against all strains of the virus.