escalating measles cases reach 321 across multiple states
Hear ye, hear ye! A measly mess in the Midwest, y'all
Gather 'round, folks! It's time for an update on the measles outbreak rockin' Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. As of March 18, the count stands at a staggering 321 confirmed cases since last Friday's report, with 279 of those in Texas, 38 in New Mexico, and the Lone Star State reporting none for the first time in a while.
Oh, but don't let the number fool ya. Thirty-eight patients are hospitalized, two more than last week, and 95 of the little tykes affected are waiting to turn four, and 130 are still playing with their toy trucks. Cases have popped up in 11 Texas counties and two in New Mexico.
In the aforementioned Texas, the epicenter of this outbreak, 191 cases are nestled in Gaines County, where it all began. New Mexico's hotspot is Lea County, which shares a border with Gaines.
Now, speaking of Lea County, there's a mystery surrounding an unvaccinated individual who tested positive for the measles and, sadly, passed away. Health officials in New Mexico are investigating the cause of death, as this person refused to seek medical help.
Meanwhile, in Texas, the outbreak claimed its first victim - a school-aged youngun' who never got the shot and had no additional health issues.
Texas and New Mexico are scheduled to report another update on Friday, so stay tuned for more news from the frontlines. According to CNN's tally, we're already past the 2024 total with 353 cases nationwide. Yikes!
Now, you might be asking, "What about that Disneyland and New York mess?" Well, folks, those were just a couple of years in 2014 and 2019 when the outbreak led to more than 200 cases each time. But fret not, in 2000, measles were kicked to the curb in the US, and we're determined to keep it that way!
So here's a friendly reminder - vaccinate your kids, cover your cough, and stay safe out there!
Sources:
- CNN (2022). Measles outbreak: At least 353 cases reported in the US. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/health/measles-outbreak-us-march-2022-wellness/index.html
- New Mexico Department of Health (2022). Measles Outbreak in New Mexico. New Mexico Department of Health. Retrieved from https://cv.nmhealth.org/measles-outbreak/
- The measles outbreak in the US has already surpassed the projected 2024 total with 353 cases, as reported by CNN.
- In Lea County, New Mexico, an unvaccinated individual who tested positive for measles tragically passed away, prompting an investigation by health officials.
- As of March 18, the measles outbreak in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma has increased significantly since last week, with 321 confirmed cases, and the number continues to rise among residents of these states.
