Almost 230 measles cases reported in outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico

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Nearly 230 measles have been identified in eruptions in West Texas and a nearby County in New Mexico. Experts say that the rising totals – and two recent deaths – suggest that cases are very undersigned.

In the Western Texas outbreak, 198 measles have been reported with measles, the Texas Department of State Health Services said in one Update Friday- 39 more confirmed cases since Tuesday’s update.

Also Friday, New Mexico Department of Health reported 30 Mesling cases in Lea County, 20 more than before had been identified in the state.

Health officials in both states said cases are expected to rise due to the very contagious nature of measles.

In Texas, 23 patients have been hospitalized, one more than previously reported. Thirty -four cases are among people younger than 4, and 89 are among people 5 to 17.

Last month, Texas announced the first death of the outbreak, a child of school age who was not vaccinated, had no underlying conditions and had been admitted to the hospital.

Health officials in New Mexico said Thursday that they are investigating the cause of death of an unvaccinated person who tested positively for measles. The resident of Lea County had not sought health care.

Lea County borders Gaines County, but health officials said they haven’t confirmed a texas and New Mexico outbreak.

Among the cases in New Mexico, 11 in children are 17 or younger, 15 are in humans 18 and older, and four cases are pending.

The CDC issued an advice on the health lawyer on Friday to inform providers of measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico and calls for vaccination.

“Vaccination of Meslingesubs Rubella (MMR) remains the most important tool to prevent measles. To prevent measles infection and spread from imported cases, all US residents must be up to date with their MMR vaccinations, especially before traveling internationally, regardless of the destination, ”the advisory reads.

One to three of 1,000 children who have measles dies of virus complications, according to CDC.

“They have had two deaths,” Dr. Paul Offit, Director of Vaccine Education Center at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital. “I think what this is telling you is that they have very underrated the Number of cases that are in these communities. ”

Offit said the US centers of disease control and prevention should help clean up how widespread infections are.

“You need CDC to put people on the ground to make enough case-hunt to get a much better idea of ​​who has really been infected with this virus,” he said.

A team of CDC experts arrived in Texas this week to support the local and state reaction to measles cases, according to a agency spokesman. The state health department said it requested help and asked for seven experts “to help with case surveys, tracking exposures in hospitals and provide guidance to healthcare providers on infection prevention and control practices,” Lara Anton, Senior Press Officer for the Texas Department of State Health Services, said in an e email to CNN.

New Mexico has been in contact with CDC for technical advice, but has not asked for further help, according to David Morgan, public information manager at the New Mexico Department of Health.

Health departments in both Texas and New Mexico have made free vaccines with measles-mum-rubella (MMR) available to residents.

In February, more than 2,400 mmr vaccinations were given to adults in New Mexico across doctors and public clinics, more than four times more than last February. Vaccinations for children in the state also increase by approx. 400 more vaccinations in February than in February 2024, according to data shared with CNN by the State Health Department.

“We think people want to make sure they are caught by their vaccinations, especially with a regional outbreak of measles,” said Robert Nott, communications director for the New Mexico Department of Health.

This week, Texas expanded vaccination guidelines for residents in certain counties with measles. Previously, the recommendations were limited to Gaines County.

In Dawson, Gaines, Lynn, Martin, Terry and Yoakum counties, infants 6 to 11 months should get an early dose of the MMR vaccine, but will then resume CDC’s normal plan for the following two doses. The state recommends that children over 12 months who have received a dose of MMR get their second vaccination as soon as possible if it is at least 28 days after their first.

Adults without immunity are also encouraged to get a vaccine with the second dose of 28 days afterwards. Adults born between 1957 and 1968, receiving an older MMR vaccine, were to receive a dose of the new vaccine with a follow -up dose 28 days later.

But experts say more needs to be done to encourage vaccination in both states.

Meslinger is a very contagious airborne disease. It can cause serious health consequences or death, Especially for young people and unvaccinated children.

General symptoms may include fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash of red spots. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the United States who receive measles will be hospitalized, according to the CDC.

Meslinges can be prevented by vaccination: A dose of the vaccine is approx. 93% effective in preventing measles infection and two doses are approx. 97% effective.

CNNS Jamie Gumbrecht contributed to this report.

Correction: An earlier version of this report incorrectly identified the New Mexico Department of Health Public Information Officer.