The American health authorities have issued a warning to travelers and health professionals while an epidemic of measles threatens the southwest of the United States.
According to the latest figures, Friday, March 7, the State of Texas reported 198 cases-including 23 hospitalizations-and the New Mexico 30 cases. Most concern minors and non -vaccinated people or whose vaccination status is unknown.
Each of these two states confirmed a dead man-a child in Texas, an adult with new-mexic. The two people concerned were not vaccinated. The prevention and combat centers (CDC), the main federal health agency, have classified these dead as linked to measles. Before this epidemic, the last death linked to measles in the United States dates back to 2015.
CDCs also confirmed measles cases in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington. But the homes of Texas and New Mexico represent the majority of cases of the country.
“Other cases are expected because this epidemic continues to extend quickly”warned CDCs in a notice of the health alert network for healthcare professionals, public health officials and potential travelers.
Down vaccination rate
Measles is a very contagious disease that is spread through the respiratory droplets and stays in the air up to two hours after an infected person left an area. The disease causes fever, respiratory symptoms and a rash, but it can also cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, which can until death.
Vaccination remains the best protection. The measles vaccine, compulsory for children of 12 months and more, gives life immunity of 93 % after a dose and 97 % after two doses.
But vaccination rates are decreasing in the United States, especially since COVVI-19 pandemic fueled a wave of disinformation on vaccines. CDCs recommend a vaccination rate of 95 % to ensure collective immunity, but national coverage in preschool children had fallen to 92.7 % in 2023-2024.
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Today Minister of Health of Donald Trump, Robert Kennedy Jr. has spent decades to establish a fallacious link between autism and vaccines against measles, mumps and rubella, which is completely denied by scientific research.
Since the measles epidemic gained momentum, it has relatively relaxed its position. But it also recently had to recommend vaccination and has promoted unspoken treatments against the virus, such as cod liver oil.
According to him, the current epidemic of measles in Texas is not “Unusual”.
