A measles outbreak in West Texas has taken a tragic turn with the death of an unvaccinated child, marking the first measles-related fatality in the United States in ten years, state health officials reported Wednesday.
The child, who succumbed overnight at a children’s hospital, was among the more than 130 cases reported across Texas and eastern New Mexico. The outbreak has primarily affected children, with health experts linking its spread to a large under-vaccinated population in a rural Mennonite community.
Texas health officials have warned of the disease’s severity, emphasizing its high hospitalization rate. A press conference with local and state health authorities is scheduled to provide updates and address community concerns.