In the wake of a second measles-related death of an unvaccinated elementary school-aged child in West Texas, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. made a visit to the region.
This visit was part of his "Make America Healthy Again" tour across the southwestern U.S. Kennedy expressed his condolences to the grieving families who had lost their young children to the disease, and pledged to work alongside Texas health officials to control the outbreak.
According to the Texas State Department of State Health Services, the outbreak, which began in late January, has been centered in Seminole, Gaines County. The disease has spread rapidly, with nearly 500 cases reported in Texas alone. It is believed that the outbreak has also crossed state and national borders, with cases suspected in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Mexico.
The second child, who had no underlying health conditions, succumbed to what the child's doctor described as "measles pulmonary failure" last Thursday. Aaron Davis, a spokesperson for UMC Health System in Lubbock, confirmed that the child had been hospitalized and was receiving treatment for complications of measles. This marks the third known death linked to this outbreak, with the other two victims being another elementary school-aged child in Texas and an adult in New Mexico, both of whom were unvaccinated.
During his visit, Kennedy met with the families of the deceased children, aged 6 and 8, and expressed his solidarity with the Mennonite community in West Texas, where the virus is predominantly spreading. Despite the escalating crisis, Kennedy has been hesitant to advocate for widespread vaccinations. However, in a recent statement, he acknowledged that vaccination is "the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles."
The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, which has been in use for over 60 years, is 97% effective against measles after two doses. In response to the outbreak, teams from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been redeployed, Kennedy announced.
The alarming increase in measles cases is not confined to Texas. Between March 28 and April 4, the number of cases in the state surged by 81, with 16 more people being hospitalized. Nationwide, the U.S. has more than double the number of measles cases it saw in all of 2024.
Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, a liver doctor whose vote was instrumental in Kennedy's confirmation, called for stronger messaging from health officials. In a post, he wrote, "Everyone should be vaccinated! There is no treatment for measles. No benefit to getting measles. Top health officials should say so unequivocally before another child dies."
Cassidy has requested Kennedy to appear before his health committee Thursday, although Kennedy has not publicly confirmed whether he will attend. A CDC spokesperson noted the efficacy of the measles vaccine but stopped short of calling on people to get it. Instead, the spokesperson encouraged people to discuss the decision with their doctor, emphasizing the importance of being informed about the potential risks and benefits associated with vaccines.
Kennedy and supporters of holistic medicine have been promoting the use of vitamin A supplements, despite warnings from doctors that it should be administered under a physician's orders and that excessive intake can be hazardous. Doctors at Covenant Children's Hospital in Lubbock, where the first measles death occurred, have treated fewer than 10 children for liver issues from vitamin A toxicity. These children were not fully vaccinated and had measles.
Dr. Peter Marks, the Food and Drug Administration's former vaccine chief, held Kennedy and his staff responsible for the death. Marks, who was forced out of the FDA following disagreements with Kennedy over vaccine safety, said, "This is the epitome of an absolute needless death. These kids should get vaccinated that's how you prevent people from dying of measles."
The outbreak is expected to persist for several more months, if not a year. In West Texas, the majority of cases are in unvaccinated people and children younger than 17. With declining childhood vaccination rates nationwide and several states battling outbreaks of this vaccine-preventable disease, there are concerns that the U.S. may lose its status as having eliminated the disease.
Measles is a respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to two hours. According to the CDC, up to 9 out of 10 susceptible people will contract the virus if exposed. The first shot is recommended for children ages 12 to 15 months, and the second for ages 4 to 6 years.
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