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A measles outbreak is spreading in a county in Washington known for not choosing to vaccinate its children, and health officials have declared a public health emergency.
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According to Texas State Representative Bill Zedler, the resurgence of measles in the United States does not worry him.

Zedler, R-Arlington, is promoting legislation that would allow Texans to evade the vaccination of children.

"They mean people are dying of measles. Yes, in third world countries, they die of measles, "said Zedler, reports the Texas Observer. "Today, with antibiotics and that sort of thing, they do not die in America."

There is currently no treatment for measles, a highly contagious virus that can be fatal. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and can not kill viruses.

At present, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring six measles outbreaks across the country, including one in Texas.

Texas State Representative Bill Zedler supports a bill that would make it easier for school children to choose vaccines. (Photo: Paul Moseley, Star-Telegram via AP)

Before the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine became available in America, about 450 to 500 people would die from measles each year. the The CDC reports at least one case of measles deaths in the last five years. Health officials at the national and global levels are concerned that the anti-vaxx trend may increase this number.

More: Heartbreaking letter from Roald Dahl on the death of his daughter by measles

More: 900 people died of measles in Madagascar. Could this happen in the United States?

The CDC recognized that the number of unvaccinated children aged 24 months was gradually increasing. People who choose not to vaccinate have become a global threat to health in 2019, reported the World Health Organization.

Some parents choose not to vaccinate because of the discredited belief that vaccines are linked to autism. The CDC said that there was no link and that there were no ingredients in vaccines that could cause autism.

Alan Melnick, public health director for Clark County, Washington, told USA TODAY that if the number of unvaccinated people in the United States increased, there could be more deaths from measles. Clark County, an anti-vaxx hotspot, is currently facing a public health emergency as more than 60 people in the area, mostly unvaccinated children, have measles.

More: What you need to know about the measles outbreak that has affected more than 60 people in Washington, a hot spot anti-vaccination

More: A quarter of kindergarten children in this county of Washington are not immune. There is now a measles crisis

More: Her son defies mother and chooses to be vaccinated at 18: "God knows how I'm still alive"

Measles is so contagious that 90% of unvaccinated people who come into contact with an infected person will catch the virus. The two-dose measles vaccine is 97% effective against the virus, according to the CDC.

More: Pinterest blocks all vaccine research to prevent the spread of false information

More: YouTube takes away advertising money from anti-vax channels looking to make profits and convince parents

Follow Ashley May on Twitter: @AshleyMayTweets

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