A measles outbreak in the American Southwest has claimed a second life, an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico, health officials confirmed on Thursday. This follows the death of an unvaccinated child in Texas last week, marking the first measles-related fatalities in the US since 2015.
The outbreak, mostly raging in west Texas and neighboring New Mexico, has seen 159 cases in Texas and 10 in New Mexico as of Tuesday. Measles, declared “eliminated” in the US in 2000, has resurfaced and is now spreading to other states and Canada with alarming speed.
The New Mexico fatality occurred in Lea County, approximately 50 miles (80 km) from Gaines County, Texas, the epicenter of the outbreak. Health officials did not disclose the victim’s age or sex but emphasized the severity of the disease.
According to the New Mexico Health Department, one in five measles cases requires hospitalization, and about three in 1,000 cases result in death. Already, the outbreak has already claimed the life of a healthy, unvaccinated six-year-old in Texas.
Origin of the US Measles Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the outbreak, which is believed to have originated in a rural Mennonite community in Texas with low vaccination rates. Measles cases have also been reported in Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New York City, and Rhode Island.
Canada is also experiencing a similar surge, with more cases recorded in the first two months of 2025 than in all of 2024. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, attributed the spike to travelers exposed to the virus abroad. As of Thursday, Canada reported 227 measles cases, most involving unvaccinated individuals.
Measles Outbreak Sparks Concern Among Health Officials and Vaccine Advocates
The recent deaths have shocked many in the US, where measles fatalities had been rare since 2003. The 2015 death was the first in over a decade, making the current outbreak particularly concerning.
The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine remains the most effective way to prevent measles, offering 97% protection against the virus. Health officials stress the importance of vaccination not only for individual protection but also for achieving community immunity, which safeguards those unable to receive vaccines due to medical conditions.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and death. Symptoms typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash. The disease spreads through the air and can remain infectious in a space for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.
