A measles outbreak has been linked to a megachurch in Texas according to USA Today.
"This is a classic example of how measles is being reintroduced," William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville told USA Today.
Twenty-five people were infected in total. Fifteen of the 25 were infected at the church led by the daughter of televangelist Kenneth Copeland. A visitor to Eagle Mountain International Church in Newark, Texas also infected 10 others outside of the church after his return from a country where the virus is common, USA Today reported.
Among the victims was a 4 month-old baby who is too young to receive a shot USA Today reported. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccination is usually given at the age of one.
Others infected with the disease include nine children and six adults ranging from four months to 44 years old USA Today reported. At least 12 people were not fully immunized against the virus. The others have no record of receiving a vaccination to protect them against the disease, USA reported.
According to USA Today, there have been 135 documented measles cases in the United States this year. The once common children's virus killed up to 500 Americans a year, and is not a major problem like it once was.
Typically, Measles come into the United States from individuals who visit countries where the virus is still common USA Today reported. However, high vaccination rates have stopped the virus from entering the U.S. on a massive scale.
