8-Year-Old Girl Dies of Measles in Texas, Marking the 2nd Death of a Child amid the State’s Outbreak

• A second child has died of measles in Texas, where there have been 481 known cases of measles, as of April 4, since January

• The 8-year-old girl was unvaccinated and had no pre-existing conditions, according to the hospital where she received treatment

• This is the second death from measles since the outbreak began

A second child in Texas has died from measles amid the state’s outbreak.

The New York Times reported that an 8-year-old girl died on Thursday, April 3, at UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas. PEOPLE confirmed the child’s death with the hospital, which said they “are deeply saddened” and noted that the child was unvaccinated.

“It is important to note that the child was not vaccinated against measles and had no known underlying health conditions,” UMC Health System said in a statement. “This unfortunate event underscores the importance of vaccination. Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, particularly for those who are unvaccinated.”

“We encourage all individuals to stay current with their vaccinations to help protect themselves and the broader community,” the hospital added.

This marks the second confirmed measles death in the U.S. in a decade. The first death was also an unvaccinated school-age child, per the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Related: Pediatrician Responds to Parents Who Called Measles 'Not That Bad' — After Their Unvaccinated Child Died (Exclusive)

As of Friday, April 4, Texas DSHS reported 481 known cases of measles and 56 hospitalizations in West Texas since the outbreak began in January.

In a previous March 28 statement, the department wrote: "Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.”

The current outbreak has also spread to surrounding states, with 54 people becoming sick in New Mexico and 10 in Oklahoma, per the health departments in both states. Additionally, health officials in West Texas predict that the outbreak could last up to a year, per The Times. Experts also told the outlet that if the outbreak continues at the current rate, the U.S. may lose its status as a measles-eliminated nation, which it attained in 2000.

In an email to PEOPLE on Saturday, April 6, a representative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wrote that the CDC "is aware of the second measles death in Texas, and our thoughts are with the family."

They further noted that they are continuing to provide "technical assistance, laboratory support, and vaccines as needed to the Texas Department of State Health Services."

In February, pediatrician and infectious disease specialist Dr. Adam Ratner, author of Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children's Health, told PEOPLE that the outbreak is tied to a decline in vaccination rates since the pandemic.

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"This is emblematic of trends in childhood vaccination, but also in how people think about public health, that are disturbing and are worrisome even for people who aren't directly involved in this outbreak," Ratner said.

Related: FDA's Top Vaccine Scientist Resigns Due to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Misinformation and Lies'

Prior to the vaccine, between 3 million and 4 million people were infected with measles in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC, and 400 to 500 people died from the highly contagious virus.

Per the CDC, common measles symptoms include a runny nose, high fever, red, water eyes and rash. They noted that the disease can cause “serious health complications” — especially in children under five. The CDC stated that the best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine, which provides “long lasting” protection against all strains of the virus.

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