Second measles death in Texas: All about the complication that led to the child's death

Tired of too many ads?, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), both of which can impair breathing and oxygenation. In some cases, these complications progress to pulmonary failure, where the lungs cannot provide adequate oxygen to the body, necessitating interventions like mechanical ventilation.

Measles deaths in the current outbreak

An unvaccinated child died in February, marking the first Measles death in West Texas outbreak. Another unvaccinated person in New Mexico died after developing measles, however health officials are yet to confirm that he died due to measles complications.

West Texas has so far reported 481 cases of measles and 56 hospitalizations as of Friday per the Texas Department of State Health Services. The outbreak has also spread to surrounding areas, affected 54 people in New Mexico and 10 in Oklahoma.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus. It is preventable by vaccine. But without vaccines, the measles virus can turn deadly causing respiratory symptoms requiring hospitalization in about 1 in 5 cases. Pneumonia, swelling of the brain, pregnancy complications, premature birth and low birth weights are some of the complications.

Measles begin with non-specific symptoms like high fever, cough, runny nose, watery, and red eyes. A rash appears a few days later on face which eventually spreads to the neck, torso and the rest of the body. People infected with the virus are most contagious about four days before the rash appears and for about four days afterward.

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