Measles Is Spreading Again in the U.S.
Measles is back in the United States. Many people thought it was almost gone, but now it is spreading quickly again. There are more than 800 cases across the country. The biggest number is in Texas, with 597 cases. Most of these are in West Texas. Other states like New Mexico, Kansas, and Ohio also have some cases.
Measles spreads very easily. It goes into the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes. The first signs are fever, runny nose, and red eyes. After a few days, a rash appears. Many people get better, but measles can be very serious. It can cause lung infection (pneumonia) or swelling in the brain.
Measles is not only a problem in the U.S. It is happening in many other countries too, like the UK, India, Nigeria, and the Philippines. In 2022, measles killed more than 136,000 people around the world. Most of them were not vaccinated. These deaths could have been stopped.
Why Is Measles Coming Back?
The main reason is that not enough people are getting the vaccine. In some places, fewer people are taking the vaccine, so the virus spreads faster. In Texas, the first cases were in a small religious group called the Mennonites. They had very low vaccine numbers. Sadly, measles has already killed two children and one adult in New Mexico. None of them had the vaccine.
Why the Vaccine Is Important
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. It is safe and works very well. Children should get two doses: one at 12–15 months, and the second at 4–6 years. If you don’t know if you have had the vaccine, it is okay to get another dose.
The vaccine protects you and the people around you. It is very important for people who cannot take the vaccine, like babies or sick people. Every country needs people to take the vaccines to stop the spread.
What You Can Do
If you did not get the MMR vaccine, now is a good time. There is no cure for measles, but rest and staying home help stop the virus.
Measles is still here and dangerous. Wherever you live, getting the vaccine helps protect everyone.
