Measles Outbreak Claims Two Lives in Texas and New Mexico

The highly contagious virus has infected over 250 people, with health officials urging vaccination to curb its spread.

A six-year-old unvaccinated child in Texas and an adult in New Mexico have died due to complications from measles, marking the first U.S. fatalities from the disease in a decade.
The outbreak has reached 223 cases in Texas, 30 in New Mexico, and additional cases have been reported in 10 other states, with low vaccination rates contributing to the spread.
Major U.S. airports, including JFK, LAX, and Washington Dulles, are on high alert after travelers potentially exposed others to the virus during international flights.
Measles is preventable with the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective with two doses, but vaccination rates have declined in recent years, leaving many communities vulnerable.
Health experts emphasize the importance of vaccination and have advised exposed individuals to monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, and rash, which can appear 7–21 days after exposure.