Health Officials Respond to Rising Cases
An unvaccinated resident from died after testing positive for measles, marking a concerning spike in local cases. The reported 10 measles cases in the county, with seven individuals unvaccinated.
The outbreak in New Mexico is suspected to be connected to a larger one in , where 159 cases and a child’s death have been reported since late January. The has deployed a team to Texas to assist with the response.
Vaccination and Public Health Concerns
Health officials emphasize the importance of the MMR vaccine, stating it's the best protection against measles, a disease that can lead to severe complications and death. The vaccine is recommended for children in two doses, starting as early as 12 months.
The warns that the Americas are at risk of losing measles elimination status, highlighting the global implications of declining vaccination rates and the spread of the virus across state lines in the U.S.