Measles Outbreaks Are Popping Off Across the Country

Image by Getty / Futurism Developments The United States just had its first measles death in a decade, the Associated Press reports, a grim inflection point as the extremely contagious — yet easily preventable — respiratory disease continues to spread nationwide. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the "school-aged child" was "not vaccinated" before being hospitalized after testing positive for measles. As of this week, there have been 124 confirmed cases since late January in Texas, most of which are affecting children. 18 people have been hospitalized in the state so far, according to the agency. The outbreak has since spread, with nine cases being confirmed in Lea County, New Mexico, which borders Texas. Further cases have been observed in Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New York City and Rhode Island, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) — literally coast to coast, and that's just the ones we know about. "This death underscores t ... Read full article.