Measles Outbreak Spreads In Texas, New Mexico: What Travelers Should Know

Texas child is first reported US measles death in a decade

A Texas child is the first in the U.S. to die from measles in a decade.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory for travelers and health care providers amid a measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. 

The agency recommended that travelers discuss measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination with their doctors, particularly if they plan to visit a place with an active outbreak or go outside the U.S. Travelers can find additional information about international destinations through the CDC’s Global Measles Travel Health Notice (click here).

“With spring and summer travel season approaching in the United States, CDC emphasizes the important role that clinicians and public health officials play in preventing the spread of measles,” the agency said in the alert Friday. “They should be vigilant for cases of febrile rash illness that meet the measles case definition and share effective measles prevention strategies, including vaccination guidance for international travelers.”

“After domestic travel to an area with an ongoing outbreak or international travel, watch for signs and symptoms of measles for 3 weeks after returning to the United States,” the advisory said. Travelers should tell their health care provider if they or their child develop a rash and high fever.

Texas has reported 198 measles cases as part of the outbreak, while New Mexico has reported 10. Two deaths have been reported.

There have been three outbreaks in the U.S. so far this year – defined as three or more related cases, per the CDC – with reported cases in other states including Alaska, California, Florida and New York. The majority of those cases were in unvaccinated children.

While more cases are expected, the health agency said the risk of widespread infection “remains low due to robust U.S. immunization and surveillance programs and outbreak response capacity supported by federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial health partners.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.