In Texas, in the United States, 90 cases of measles have been recorded since the end of January while the number of children vaccinated against this disease that can be deadly fell back into the country.
- In the United States, in the state of Texas, 90 cases of measles have been recorded since the end of January.
- This increase is rapid because, only a week before, the state had only 48 cases.
- The majority of contaminated people are under 18 and are not vaccinated against measles.
90. This is the number of measles cases that have been identified since the end of January in the South Plains (South Plains), a region in northwestern Texas, in the United States. This increase is rapid because, only a week before, the state had only 48 cases.
A drop in measles vaccination
Texas is not the only state concerned. Alaska, Georgia, California, New Jersey, New Mexico and New York would also have some cases. In recent years, the United States has faced an increase in cases. In 2024, 285 people suffered from measles, compared to 59 in 2023. This resurgence is also explained by a decrease in the number of vaccinated children. In Texas, the majority of contaminated people were under 18 and were not vaccinated. At the national level, this decrease also exists, even though vaccination is compulsory in theory: 95 % of children in kindergarten were vaccinated against measles in 2019, against 93 % in 2023. A drop due to the fact that parents can request non-drug derogations and refuse, for example, for religious reasons.
This drop is global. As indicated The World Health Organization (WHO), the number of children having received a first dose of anti -rusting vaccine was 83 % in 2023, well below the 86 % recorded in 2019. However, this product has, according to the organization, made it possible to avoid more than 60 million deaths between 2000 and 2023. As a reminder, Measles is a viral disease that can be very serious, even fatal. It is also one of the most contagious pathologies in the world. The WHO ensures that an infected person can contaminate nine close non -vaccinated contacts out of ten.
The main symptoms of measles
Once the virus is in the body, the incubation period is ten days. Then come the first symptoms – cough, high fever, great fatigue, flow of the nose, conjunctivitis – which lasts three to four days. Then the sick person has a rash of very red small spots. It usually starts on the head and gradually descends to the feet. In 30 % of cases, there are complications according to theHealth insurance. These can be serious such as, for example, viral pulmonary involvement, a keratoconjunctivitis or a Acute encephalitis.
