Read the state Department of Health’s release about measles cases in New Mexico.
Measles, a highly contagious and dangerous disease, is spreading in Texas and New Mexico — even though a safe, effective vaccine exists to prevent it.
The outbreak illustrates the danger of rejecting proven science for conspiracy theories, something vaccine doubters have encouraged for decades. They didn’t just make false accusations about childhood immunizations, either. During the coronavirus pandemic the fear-mongering over effective vaccines to protect against the virus added to people’s mistrust of vaccinations.
In two weeks, the recent measles outbreak has spread from two people in Gaines County, Texas, to at least 48 people across four counties in Texas. There also are three cases in Lea County, across the border in New Mexico from Gaines County, confirmed by the New Mexico Department of Health — two adults and a teen-ager.
Why Gaines County? It has one of the highest vaccine exemption rates in Texas, at nearly 18%, according to health department data. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that vaccine coverage of 95% is needed to protect vulnerable populations and prevent measles outbreaks.
Obviously, that’s not happening right now along the Texas-New Mexico border, although health officials still have not confirmed a connection between the two outbreaks.
Measles is not a disease to take lightly. In the current outbreak, a dozen or so people are in the hospital. Complications from measles can include blindness, encephalitis, breathing problems, and in severe cases, death. The trouble with measles is that it’s very infectious — one infected person can pass it along to nine out of 10 of their unvaccinated close contacts. That’s because the virus can linger in the air for about two hours after someone with measles has left the area.
In New Mexico, the state is moving quickly to set up vaccine clinics and is letting residents of Lea County know where and when measles exposures might have happened. Potential exposure sites include a grocery store, a school, a church and a hospital in Hobbs. People are being asked to isolate if they develop symptoms of measles, which include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a spotted rash all over the body. For residents of Hobbs, or anyone traveling there, now might be the right time to resume wearing masks that prevent exposure to air-born viruses.
Here in ·è¿ÍÖ±²¥ Fe, almost a five-hour drive from Hobbs, the outbreak seems distant.
Yet if, for example, a legislator or citizen lobbyist went to Crosswinds Community Church between 9 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, and is at the Roundhouse now, measles could spread beyond Lea County. For parents, whether in Lea County or elsewhere, make sure your children are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Immunizations are available at local pharmacies, doctors’ offices and at the ·è¿ÍÖ±²¥ Fe Public Health Office, 605 Letrado St.
Protect yourself. Protect your family. Protect your community. Get vaccinated while you can.
