Các Texas Department of State Health Services in the United States has reported the first death from measles in an outbreak that has been ongoing since late January 2025. The person who died was a child who was not vaccinated against measles.
As of 25 February, there have been 124 cases confirmed in the outbreak, most of which are in children.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness. Initial symptoms include fever, malaise, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis, followed by rash. Complications include pneumonia and otitis media (ear infection); 1 in 1000 people will develop encephalitis (brain inflammation).
Vaccines are highly effective in protecting against disease.
Read the Texas Department of State Health Services’ full statement here.
There is an active health alert in Victoria regarding recent measles cases in the state. Read the Victorian Department of Health alert here.
For more information about measles, head to MVEC: Sởi.
Previous MVEC news on measles:
MVEC: Cases of measles rising around the world (February 2024)
MVEC: The dangers of vaccine misinformation: Robert F Kennedy Jr (July 2023)