The ongoing measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has claimed its second victim, as an unvaccinated New Mexico resident tested positive for the virus posthumously.
The individual, a resident of Lea County, did not seek medical care before their death, and the official cause of death is still under investigation.
This follows the first measles-related death in the United States in a decade, which occurred in late February when an unvaccinated school-aged child in West Texas succumbed to the virus.
The outbreak, which began in Gaines County, Texas, has now spread to nine states, with over 160 confirmed cases.
Health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated, emphasizing that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against this highly contagious disease.
The majority of cases have been reported among unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. The situation has raised concerns about the potential for further spread and the need for increased vaccination efforts to prevent additional fatalities.
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