Texas (USA) measles outbreak, mostly in unvaccinated children

According to the latest official figures, the Texas Department of Health has recorded 48 cases of measles. Most of the patients are children, all of whom are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that usually causes a rash but can also lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and other serious complications. (Source: iStock)

There are now 13 cases hospitalized and the number of infections is expected to increase.

A measles outbreak spreading across West Texas shows that the once-rejected disease is making a comeback as vaccination rates decline. Childhood vaccination rates across the United States have been trending downward, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national vaccination rate among kindergarteners has fallen below 93% for the 2023-2024 school year, below the recommended 95% for the fourth consecutive year.

Concerns about the consequences of mRNA vaccination, coupled with a wave of misinformation, have severely undermined trust in public health authorities.

"There are areas in the US that are very vulnerable, and I'm not surprised that this outbreak is happening in a county with the lowest vaccination rate in the state - these are ideal conditions for an outbreak," said Amesh Adalja, an expert at Johns Hopkins University.

According to the US CDC, in 2024, the country recorded 285 measles cases.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that usually causes a rash but can also lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and other serious complications.

Globally, the disease still claims tens of thousands of lives each year.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/texas-my-bung-phat-dich-soi-hau-het-o-tre-em-chua-tiem-phong-304445.html