Texas and New Mexico on Friday reported an additional 59 cases of measles for a total of 228 known infections in those states, where an outbreak that began in West Texas in late January has spread, causing the first United States measles deaths in a decade.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its first health alert to physicians on the outbreak that the risk for widespread measles in the US remained low due to robust immunisation and surveillance programmes and outbreak response capacity.
The agency said the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the most important tool for preventing measles, adding all US residents born after 1957 should have either been vaccinated or have immunity from laboratory confirmation of the disease.
In Texas, measles cases grew to 198 as of March 7, up 39, according to state health department data. These included 30 new cases in Gaines County, which now has a total of 137. A week ago, the state reported the death from measles of an unvaccinated child who had no underlying health concerns.
In New Mexico, cases rose to 30 on Friday, up from 10 on Thursday, when the state also reported that an adult who had died tested positive for measles. Medical examiners were still investigating that case, its first measles-related death.
The largest measles outbreak in a decade has been the first major challenge for US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a longtime vaccine skeptic.
In a cabinet meeting last week, Kennedy initially downplayed news that a school-aged child had died of measles, calling such outbreaks ordinary and failing to mention the role of vaccination to prevent measles.
Over the weekend, Kennedy published an opinion piece on Fox News that promoted the role of vaccination, but also said vaccination was a personal choice and urged people to consult with their physician.
He has said that in addition to vaccines, the CDC has sent vitamin A for the outbreak, which has been shown to ease symptoms in people who are malnourished and vitamin A deficient.
The CDC said in its alert that doctors and public health officials should be vigilant for patients that show symptoms of measles such as fever and rash.
US Representatives Frank Pallone of New Jersey, Diana DeGette of Colorado and Yvette Clarke of New York, all Democrats, called for a congressional oversight hearing to look into the rapidly spreading measles outbreak.
