New Mexico adult dies with measles, although the cause of death has not yet been confirmed

An adult contaminated with measles died in New Mexico, announced state health officials on Thursday, although the virus was not confirmed as a cause.

The person who died was not -vaccinated and did not seek medical care, said a spokesperson for the Health Service department in a statement. The exact age of the person and other details were not immediately released.

The person came from Lea County, across the State Line from the West-Texas region, where 159 measles shops were identified and a school-going child died last week. New Mexico health officials have not linked the outbreak there to Texas' affairs.

The person is the 10th in Lea County with a confirmed measles infection. Seven were not vaccinated. The vaccination status of the other three is unknown. Six of the cases are in adults and the rest is younger than 17 in children.

On Tuesday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that they sent a team to Texas to help local public health officials respond to the outbreak, which started at the end of January.

Measles is a breathing virus that can survive in the air for two hours. A maximum of 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will receive the virus if they are exposed, according to the CDC.

The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are safe and very effective in preventing infection and severe cases. The first shot is recommended for children from 12 to 15 months and the second for children from 4 to 6 years.

“We don't want New Mexicans to get sick or die from measles,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, the deputy state pidemiologist. “The measles-mumps-Rubella vaccine is the best protection against this serious illness.”

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Science and Educational Media Group of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is only responsible for all content.