There’s been increasing anxiety over the last several weeks about an outbreak of measles in Texas and New Mexico. Public health officials in the Southwest are sounding the alarm — including Will Humble,

The first child in 10 years had died from the measles in Texas, and Arizona lacks the herd immunity to keep kids and vulnerable adults safe.

Some Arizona counties have lower measles vaccination rates than in west Texas, where the outbreak has infected at least 159 people since it was first reported in early February and has killed one child.

Low vaccination rates are to blame for a deadly measles outbreak in Texas and here in Arizona, some parts have even lower vaccination rates. The epicenter of the current measles outbreak is Gaines County,

Arizona hasn’t had any measles cases yet this year, but a local medical expert thinks “it’s just a matter of time” as vaccination rates decline.

Measles can cause seizures, blindness and death, and children under the age of 5 are particularly vulnerable to complications.