10 new cases of measles reported in West Texas county and New Mexico Public health authorities said Tuesday that an outbreak of measles in western Texas has expanded, while a new case was confirmed nearby across state lines in New Mexico.
“The New Mexico youth had no recent travel or exposure to known cases from the Texas outbreak,” the New Mexico Department of Health said in a news release.
In neighboring Lea County, New Mexico, residents were alerted Tuesday to the measles infection of an unvaccinated teenager, as well as the possible exposure of more people in Lovington at a hospital emergency room and sixth grade school gymnasium.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has identified 24 measles cases in connection with the onset of symptoms within the last two weeks.
The percentage of kids with exemptions has risen over the last decade from 0.76% in 2014 to 2.32% last year, according to Texas Department of State Health Services data.
