The measles focal increases; cases reported in several states

Measles outbreaks In West Texas and New Mexico there are now up to nearly 300 cases, and two unvaccinated people died due to measles.

Measles It is caused by an extremely contagious virus, which is transported in the air and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezing or cough. It is preventable by vaccines and has been considered eliminated from the US since 2000.

Starting on Friday, US centers for disease control and prevention has stated that its number of supported measles cases has exceeded 2024. Here’s what else you I need to know about measles in the US

How many measles cases are in Texas and New Mexico?

State health officials in Texas said on Friday that there have been 36 new measles cases starting on Tuesday, bringing the total Texas to 259. Five other people were hospitalized, for a total of 34. The focus spread in two new counties: Cochran in West Texas with six and Lamar in the northern part of the state.

New Mexico health officials announced two new cases on Friday, bringing the total state at 35. Most cases are in Lea county, where two people are hospitalized. Eddy County has two cases.

The Oklahoma State Health Department reported two probable measles cases on Tuesday, saying they are “associated” with outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico.

A School age child died of measles in Texas Last month and New Mexico reported his first Death related to measles in an adult Last week.

Where does measles appear in the US?

Cases of measles have been reported in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

US centers for disease control and prevention define a outbreak like three or more related cases – and there have been Three clusters This qualified as outbreaks in 2025.

In the US, cases and outbreaks are generally pursued someone who caught the disease abroad. It can then spread, especially in communities with small vaccination rates. In 2019, the US registered 1,274 cases and almost lost their status to eliminate measles.

Do you need an MMR boot?

The best way to avoid measles is to get measles, mumps and rubella (Mmr) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years.

People with high risk of infection who have obtained photos many years ago can want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area, said Scott Weaver with Global Virus Network, an international coalition. They may include family members living with someone who has measles or those especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases due to underlying medical conditions.

Adults with “presumptive evidence of immunity” generally do not need measles now, CDC said. The criteria include the written documentation of the appropriate vaccination earlier in life, the confirmation of the laboratory of the previous infection or the birth before 1957, when most people could be naturally infected.

A doctor can order a laboratory test called Titer MMR to check the levels of measles antibodies, but health experts do not always recommend this route and cover insurance may vary.

Obtaining another MMR blow is harmless if there are concerns about decreased immunity, says CDC.

People who have a documentation about receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s should not be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an inefficient measles vaccine from the “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the Agency said. This also includes people who do not know what type they received.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Laughter first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing high fever, flowing nose, cough, red, aqueous eyes and a rash.

The eruption generally occurs at three -five days after the first symptoms, starting as flat red spots on the face and then spreading down to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and legs. When the rash occurs, fever can increase over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to CDC.

Most children will recover from measles but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.

How can you treat measles?

There is no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to mitigate the symptoms, prevent complications and maintain comfortable patients.

Why does vaccination rates matter?

In communities with high vaccination rates – over 95% – diseases such as measles have a harder time to spread through communities. This is called “immunity of effect”.

But the childhood vaccination rates have decreased nationally, because the pandemic and several parents claim renouncing religious or personal consciousness to save their children from the necessary photos.

US has seen an increase in measles cases in 2024including a outbreak in Chicago which It was more than 60.

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The AP scientist, Laura Hungary, contributed to this report.

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