Texas DSHS announces second measles death in state

A second death to the measles disease in the state has been confirmed.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported Sunday that a "school-aged" child died to the disease. The child was hospitalized in Lubbock and died on April 3. This reported death occurred amid the ongoing outbreak that is surrounding the South Plains Region.

The child was not vaccinated — similar to the first measles Texas death in February. They also did not have any underlying conditions.

There are 561 confirmed cases in the state as of Tuesday. Texas DSHS reports notable figures of cases in Gaines County with 364, Terry County with 47, Lubbock County with 41, Dawson County with 21 and Yoakum County with 18.

Although the two deaths in the state were of children, another death in the country was an adult confirmed in New Mexico — more specifically in Lea County in March.

The outbreak cases by age in Texas are as follows:

• 0-4 Years: 175
• 5-17 Years: 206
• 18+ Years: 156
• Pending: 24
  * These results are as of press time.

In terms of vaccination status, Texas DSHS and New Mexico's Department of Health advise for residents to get vaccinated for measles. Out of the 561 confirmed cases in Texas, 550 were not vaccinated.

"The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella or MMR vaccine," Texas DSHS said on its site. "Two doses of the MMR vaccine prevent more than 97 percent of measles infections."

For New Mexico, the deputy state epidemiologist echoes this statement.

“We don’t want to see New Mexicans getting sick or dying from measles,” Dr. Chad Smelser said. “The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against this serious disease.”