The U.S. has reported its first measles-related death this decade amidst multi-state outbreak. Health officials reported an unvaccinated school-age child for west Texas on February 26 who died from the virus, a major infection risk in the country due to declining vaccination rates.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported the state had confirmed 146 of the measles cases by February 28, with cases spreading rapidly to neighbouring New Mexico. Nationwide, cases of the measles are exploding in at least nine states, sending several patients to the hospitals and jolting public health officials.
Baylor College of Medicine virologist Dr. Peter Hotez, noted chief among leading virologists, in addition to stating that the epidemic is an immediate result of the decline in immunization coverage. “When vaccine uptake falls below 90%, measles is transmitted rapidly and causes severe risk to unvaccinated individuals,” he cautioned. 
Measles, thought by many to be a mild childhood illness, can result in serious complications including pneumonia, encephalitis and death, especially in very young children. The airborne virus poses as a highly infectious and effective presence, timeless remaining in the air hours following an infected person leaves a room.
Although the MMR vaccine is widely available, growing vaccine reluctance and exemptions has left communities at risk. Health officials call on parents to vaccinate their children to prevent more deaths and stop the outbreak from spreading into a nationwide emergency.
