A measles-infected adult has died in New Mexico, state health officials announced Thursday, though it has not been confirmed whether the virus was the direct cause of death.
The individual, who was unvaccinated and did not seek medical care, was from Lea County, located near the West Texas region, where a measles outbreak has resulted in 159 cases and the death of a school-age child last week. While New Mexico officials have not linked their cases to the Texas outbreak, the deceased individual marks the 10th confirmed measles case in Lea County, with seven of those infected being unvaccinated.
“We don’t want to see New Mexicans getting sick or dying from measles,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, the deputy state epidemiologist. “The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is the best protection against this serious disease.”
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