See map of seven states with recognized measles instances
As Texas continues to deal with a rising measles outbreak that has sickened 58 and counting, different states have begun reporting their very own instances of the extremely contagious illness.
Two different states, New Mexico and Georgia, have additionally reached “outbreak” standing as outlined by the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management, which means they’ve reported three or extra associated instances of the illness.
However with the CDC solely updating case numbers month-to-month, the duty of monitoring and asserting the unfold has fallen to particular person states within the weeks between.
The Texas Division of State Well being Companies introduced Tuesday that confirmed infections have been as much as 58, principally in kids. All however 4 case contain unvaccinated individuals or individuals with unknown vaccination standing, and most occurred in far West Texas in Gaines County, which has a 17.62% price of vaccine exemptions in Okay-12 college students, in line with 2023-2024 state information.
In New Mexico, the quantity is as much as 9, the New Mexico Division of Well being confirmed to USA TODAY Thursday, all in Lea County, which is simply throughout from the Texas state line and Gaines County. 4 of these contaminated are underneath the age of 18 and unvaccinated, whereas the opposite 5 are adults, additionally of unvaccinated or unknown vaccination standing, reported the Las Cruces Solar Information, a part of the USA TODAY Community.
In the meantime Georgia officers confirmed to USA TODAY on Thursday that the state nonetheless has three confirmed instances. The Rhode Island well being division says the state has one case, whereas Alaska confirmed the state has two.
Different states have reported instances however haven’t up to date numbers in days or even weeks and didn’t instantly reply to USA TODAY’s request for affirmation Thursday. These embrace New Jersey, which confirmed one case on Feb. 14, and New York, the place one case was reported by the CDC as a part of its final replace on Feb. 7.
See measles information:Measles instances are on the rise, principally amongst unvaccinated individuals. Know the signs
See map of states with measles instances
What’s measles and the way do you get it?
Measles is a extremely contagious, vaccine-preventable illness brought on by a virus that primarily, and most severely, impacts kids. In accordance with the World Well being Group (WHO), it infects the respiratory tract earlier than spreading all through the physique.
The virus is extremely contagious; so contagious, in truth, that 90% of unvaccinated people who find themselves uncovered find yourself contracting it. Moreover, one in 5 of these individuals find yourself hospitalized, in line with the CDC.
Measles is unfold by way of contact with contaminated nasal or throat secretions, in line with WHO. It’s airborne and mostly unfold by way of actions like coughing, sneezing or respiratory. The measles virus can stay contagious within the air or on contaminated surfaces for as much as two hours.
What are the signs of measles?
In accordance with the CDC, measles signs seem seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and sometimes embrace excessive fever, cough, runny nostril and watery eyes. Measles rash seems three to 5 days after the onset of the primary signs.
Different indicators and signs of measles embrace:
- When the rash seems, an individual’s fever could spike to greater than 104 levels Fahrenheit
- Excessive fever
- Cough
- Runny nostril and sneezing
- Purple, watery eyes
- Lack of urge for food, diarrhea
- Reddish-brown rash that may unfold throughout the complete physique
- Koplik spots, tiny white spots that will seem contained in the mouth two to a few days after signs start
- Small raised bumps may additionally seem on high of the flat purple spots (the spots could change into joined collectively as they unfold from the top to the remainder of the physique)
Contributing: Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY
