Second Fatality Confirmed in U.S. Measles Outbreak

 

Measles, which was officially declared "eliminated" in the U.S. in 2000, is now spreading rapidly in Texas. 

Second Fatality Confirmed in U.S. Measles Outbreak

Health officials in New Mexico have reported a second death linked to the ongoing measles outbreak in the southwestern United States. The victim, an unvaccinated adult, succumbed to the disease amid a growing surge of infections.

This latest fatality comes just a week after measles claimed the life of an unvaccinated child in Texas—the first U.S. measles-related death recorded since 2015.

Measles, which was officially declared "eliminated" in the U.S. in 2000, is now spreading rapidly in Texas. As of Friday, state health authorities had identified 198 cases, marking an increase of nearly 30 infections since Tuesday. Neighboring New Mexico has also seen a sharp rise in cases, tripling to 30 in the same timeframe.

The outbreak is not limited to these two states, as additional cases have been reported across the U.S. and in Canada.

The deceased individual in New Mexico was a resident of Lea County, situated about 50 miles (80 km) from Gaines County, Texas—believed to be the epicenter of the outbreak. Authorities have not disclosed details regarding the person's age or gender.

According to the New Mexico Department of Health, approximately one in five measles cases results in hospitalization, while three out of every 1,000 cases prove fatal.

Texas health officials confirmed that the outbreak had previously claimed the life of a six-year-old child who was unvaccinated but otherwise healthy. The child's death was reported on February 27.

Although measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. 25 years ago, localized outbreaks—defined as three or more related cases—still occur.

The two recent deaths have sparked concern in a country that had not experienced a measles-related fatality since 2015. Before that, the previous measles death in the U.S. occurred in 2003.

Now, just three months into 2025, the total number of reported cases nationwide has surpassed 220. By comparison, the U.S. recorded 285 cases throughout the entire year of 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Health officials believe the outbreak originated in a rural Mennonite community in Texas, where vaccination rates are notably low.

Though Texas and New Mexico remain the most affected states, measles cases have also been detected in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington, per CDC reports.

Canada Also Sees Surge in Measles Cases

North of the border, Canadian health officials are also battling a significant rise in measles infections. The country has already recorded more cases in the first two months of 2025 than in all of 2024, according to Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Theresa Tam.

The virus has been identified in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Dr. Tam attributed the spread to travelers who were exposed to measles in other countries before returning to Canada.

As of Thursday, a total of 227 measles cases had been reported in Canada. Most of those infected had not received vaccinations, according to the nation’s public health agency.

Vaccination Remains the Best Defense

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the most effective method of protection against the highly contagious virus, which can cause pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death. The vaccine is 97% effective and also provides immunity against mumps and rubella.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has gained attention for his vaccine skepticism, addressed the outbreak in an editorial published Sunday.

"Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons," he wrote in a Fox News Op-Ed.