(Bloomberg) — A deceased, unvaccinated particular person in New Mexico examined constructive for measles, the state well being division stated in a press release Thursday.
The official explanation for dying continues to be being investigated by the state. It’s the tenth case confirmed in Lea County, New Mexico, simply to the west of the epicenter of the measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas.
Thus far, Texas has reported 159 instances within the state and one dying in a school-aged baby, which was the primary measles fatality in a decade within the US. If the New Mexico dying is decided to be from measles, it will mark the nation’s second dying within the outbreak.
The particular person in New Mexico didn’t search medical assist earlier than passing away. No different particulars of the particular person or their potential publicity to the virus have been supplied.
“We don’t wish to see New Mexicans getting sick or dying from measles,” Chad Smelser, New Mexico’s deputy state epidemiologist, stated within the launch. “The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) is one of the best safety in opposition to this critical illness.”
Measles is a extremely contagious virus that may trigger extreme issues in unvaccinated individuals, together with mind swelling and long-term neurological points, in response to the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. One dose of the vaccine is 93% efficient in opposition to the virus and essential in stopping its unfold, the CDC says.
New Mexico is providing free measles vaccination clinics within the Lea County space. By Feb. 28, the CDC has tallied 164 constructive instances in 9 states this yr. Each Texas and the CDC are anticipated to replace their measles instances Friday.
On March 4, seven members of the epidemic intelligence service on the CDC arrived in Texas to offer assist to native well being officers together with vaccination administration, contact tracing and case investigations.
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