SANTA FE: New Mexico: A New Mexico resident who died recently tested positive for measles, marking the state's first measles-related death in over 40 years and only the second in the U.S. in more than a decade, health officials said.

The adult patient was unvaccinated and did not seek medical care before passing away. The state medical examiner is still investigating the exact cause of death, according to David Morgan, spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Health.

The case is part of a more significant measles outbreak affecting Lea County, which borders Texas. In nearby Gaines County, Texas, over 100 cases and one death in an unvaccinated child have been reported. This outbreak is one of the largest in the U.S. in the past decade.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism about vaccines, has faced criticism over his response. In a recent cabinet meeting, he downplayed the death of a school-aged child from measles, calling outbreaks "ordinary" and failing to highlight the importance of vaccination. Later, in a Fox News opinion piece, he acknowledged vaccination but framed it as a personal choice, emphasizing consultation with doctors and the role of vitamin A—despite limited evidence supporting its effectiveness in well-nourished populations.

Measles has been reported in nine states: Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas, with 164 cases recorded as of February 27, according to the CDC. The disease typically kills 1 to 3 people per 1,000 cases, but with two deaths among 164 cases, Dr. Tina Tan of Northwestern University noted that the current outbreak may have a higher-than-expected death rate, possibly due to undiagnosed cases.

In New Mexico, six adults and four children have been infected. Seven were unvaccinated, while the vaccination status of the remaining three is unclear. The CDC continues to monitor the outbreak and urges vaccination as the best defense against measles.

New Mexico's health department said it will host two community vaccination clinics on March 11.