The Texas Division of State Well being Providers (TDSHS) as we speak reported 30 extra circumstances in a measles outbreak within the western a part of the state close to the New Mexico border, because the New Mexico Division of well being added 4 new circumstances to its complete, pushing the outbreak complete to 351.
In the meantime, as international circumstances surge, a handful of states reported new circumstances in individuals who had connections to worldwide journey. In a weekly replace as we speak, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) mentioned it has obtained stories of 378 circumstances this yr, nicely previous the 285 circumstances reported for all of 2024.
The circumstances are from 18 jurisdictions, and 90% are linked to 3 outbreaks. The CDC’s replace contains the primary circumstances of the yr from Kansas, Ohio, and Michigan. Kansas final week reported its first measles an infection since 2018, and media stories say at the least six circumstances have been reported within the southwest a part of the state in Grant and Stevens counties.
Regular rise in Texas scorching spot
Texas has now reported circumstances from 14 counties, although most are in Gaines County the place the outbreak started in a Mennonite group that has low childhood immunization ranges. To this point, 40 sufferers have been hospitalized, and the variety of deaths stays at one.
Of the state’s 309 circumstances, 307 have been unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination standing. TDSHS added that three circumstances reported earlier as vaccinated have been decided to be unvaccinated, two of whom have been immunized 1 or 2 days earlier than their signs started. One other was a Lubbock resident who had a vaccine response somewhat than a measles an infection; that case has been faraway from the outbreak complete.
Officers mentioned they anticipate extra circumstances within the outbreak space, as a result of extremely contagious nature of the illness.
In the meantime, the New Mexico Division of Well being (NMDH) reported 4 new circumstances as we speak, elevating the state’s complete to 42. The entire new circumstances are from Lea County, which borders the Gaines County scorching spot in Texas.
Oklahoma had earlier reported 4 possible circumstances which are linked to the Texas outbreak.
States observe exposures
Amid the rising outbreak centered in west Texas, state well being departments are on excessive alert and monitoring potential exposures.
Earlier this week, New Mexico officers warned of potential publicity in Guadalupe and Valencia counties after a Texas traveler visited the realm whereas infectious with measles. Publicity websites included a journey heart, a lodge, a restaurant, and a church.
To this point, no circumstances have been reported from both of the counties. Miranda Durham, MD, NMDH’s chief medical officer, mentioned, “When somebody with measles travels, the virus can unfold to unprotected communities—significantly throughout high-travel intervals like spring break. Vaccination is our strongest protection: one dose of vaccine is 93% efficient, and two doses are 97% efficient.”
Vaccination is our strongest protection: one dose of vaccine is 93% efficient, and two doses are 97% efficient.
Elsewhere, the Alabama Division of Public Well being mentioned yesterday that it’s investigating doable exposures after it was notified that an unvaccinated baby who traveled by the state examined constructive for measles.
Extra circumstances linked to worldwide journey
In the meantime, the variety of circumstances linked to worldwide journey continues to develop. The Ohio Division of Well being yesterday reported its first case of the yr, which includes an unvaccinated grownup from Ashtabula County who had contact with somebody who just lately traveled internationally.
Additionally, the Maryland Division of Well being yesterday reported two circumstances in Prince George County residents who just lately traveled collectively internationally. In California, the Tuolumne County Public Well being Division reported two circumstances, an grownup and a toddler who had just lately traveled internationally.
