The number of measles cases linked to an outbreak in western Texas has risen to 400, with 73 reported in the last three days, according to new data released Friday.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), almost all of the cases are in individuals who have not been vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. At least 41 people have been hospitalized thus far.
According to the data, children and teenagers aged 5 to 17 account for the vast majority of cases (164), followed by children aged 4 and under (131).
The CDC has confirmed 483 cases of measles this year in at least 19 states, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.
This is most likely an underestimate due to delays in states reporting cases to the federal health agency. Meanwhile, reports indicate that some unvaccinated children hospitalized with measles in Texas are exhibiting vitamin A toxicity.
During the measles outbreak, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other vaccine skeptics promoted vitamin A. During a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity earlier this month, Kennedy stated that HHS is currently providing vitamin A to measles patients as treatment, claiming that vitamin A can “dramatically” reduce measles deaths.
Vitamin A can be used as part of supportive treatment for those who are already ill. The World Health Organization recommends two doses of vitamin A in children and adults with measles to restore low vitamin A levels, which can help prevent eye damage and blindness.
However, experts previously told ABC News that vitamin A does not prevent measles infections, nor does it directly fight the virus when used as a treatment.
Covenant Children’s Hospital, which has treated dozens of measles patients in Texas during the outbreak, told ABC News in a statement that some parents appear to have given vitamin A to their unvaccinated children as “treatment and prevention.” Some of these children are now exhibiting symptoms of vitamin A toxicity.
According to Covenant Children’s, fewer than ten children have presented with abnormal liver function during routine lab tests, indicating possible vitamin A toxicity.
Vitamin A toxicity occurs when a person consumes too much vitamin A, which can lead to serious complications such as liver and kidney damage.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.
The CDC currently recommends that people receive two vaccine doses, the first at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years old. The CDC reports that one dose is 93% effective, while two doses are 97% effective. Most adults who have already been vaccinated do not require a booster shot.
According to state health data, Gaines County, the epicenter of the Texas outbreak, has seen a significant increase in the number of vaccine exemptions over the last dozen years.
