Measles cases rise to 30 in New Mexico

The New Mexico health department on Friday reported 30 measles cases in the state, an increase of 20 cases from its previous count.

It said that all the cases were reported in Lea County, which is located adjacent to Gaines County, Texas, where at least 100 cases and one death in an unvaccinated child have been reported.

The surge in reported cases comes a day after a deceased resident of New Mexico tested positive for measles, marking the second measles-related death in the United States in more than a decade.

The health department added that the unvaccinated adult patient did not seek any medical care before death, and the cause of death was still under investigation by the state medical examiner.

According to data from the state health department on Friday, half of the patients in New Mexico are 18 years of age or older.

Three of the patients are reportedly up to 4 years of age, and eight patients are aged between 5 and 17 years.