Texas Sees First Measles Death in Nearly a Decade Amid Vaccination Concerns

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A Texas child who was unvaccinated has died from measles, marking the first reported fatality related to the disease in the United States in nearly ten years, according to state health authorities. The child was hospitalized in Lubbock and tested positive for the virus before passing away recently.

Health experts express concern that the outbreak may exacerbate due to declining vaccination rates, which have dropped from 95.2% in the 2019-2020 school year to 92.7% in 2023-2024. State officials noted that over 130 measles cases have emerged in West Texas and nearby New Mexico this year, primarily affecting unvaccinated children. Infectious disease physician Amesh Adalja from Johns Hopkins University warned that this death reinforces the importance of vaccinations, which remain a crucial safeguard against preventable diseases.

The outbreak has particular significance in Gaines County, home to a large population of Mennonites who often resist vaccinations for religious reasons, as legal exemptions in Texas permit such refusals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises maintaining a 95% vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity.

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