A second child has died from measles in Texas, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed late Saturday.
The school-aged child, unvaccinated and previously healthy, passed away at University Medical Center Children’s Hospital in Lubbock.
“The child was receiving treatment for complications of measles while hospitalized,” the hospital said. “It is important to note that the child was not vaccinated against measles and had no known underlying health conditions. This unfortunate event underscores the importance of vaccination.”
The outbreak, which began in January, has sickened 481 Texans so far, a 14% increase from the previous week. Six of those cases are infants and toddlers at a Lubbock daycare center, and 56 people have been hospitalized.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 children infected with measles die, often from pneumonia or neurological complications. The virus can also erase immune memory in a phenomenon known as “immune amnesia.”
Nationally, at least 628 cases have been reported across 21 states and Washington, D.C., but that number may be much higher.
“Many people aren’t getting tested for the virus,” said Lubbock’s public health director, Katherine Wells.
Health officials are urgently encouraging vaccination. The MMR vaccine is 97% effective with two doses. “Babies as young as 6 months old can get that first shot” during outbreaks.
