Daijiworld Media Network - Texas
Texas, Mar 5: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dispatched disease experts to Texas as the state grapples with a fast-growing measles outbreak. With 13 new cases reported, the total has surged to 159 since late January.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed 22 hospitalizations and one fatality a school-aged child who was unvaccinated. Authorities warn that more cases are likely in the affected regions.
The outbreak, primarily concentrated in Gaines County's Mennonite community, has raised concerns over low vaccination rates. While health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr acknowledged the CDC’s role in providing vaccines and technical assistance, he stopped short of actively promoting immunization.
With the virus highly contagious, officials urge swift action to contain its spread and prevent further fatalities.