U.S. health secretary heads to Texas after 2nd unvaccinated child dies of measles-related illness

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a somber trip to West Texas on Sunday following the tragic death of a second unvaccinated school-aged child from a measles-related illness. The heartbreaking news of the child’s passing prompted Kennedy to visit Gaines County to offer comfort to grieving families who have lost two young children to the outbreak.

Seminole, Texas, has become the epicenter of a measles outbreak that began in late January and has continued to spread rapidly, with nearly 500 cases reported in the state alone. Kennedy expressed his commitment to working with Texas health officials to help control the outbreak and prevent further loss of life.

The latest victim, a child without underlying health conditions, succumbed to what doctors described as measles pulmonary failure. The child was receiving treatment for complications of measles at UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas, before tragically passing away. This marks the third measles-related death linked to the outbreak, with previous fatalities including another school-aged child in Texas and an adult in New Mexico, neither of whom were vaccinated.

Kennedy, who has been vocal about his anti-vaccine stance, emphasized the importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing the spread of measles. He acknowledged that the vaccine has been proven safe and effective for over six decades and urged the public to prioritize vaccination as a crucial step in halting the outbreak.

The CDC has deployed teams to assist in managing the outbreak, which has spread beyond Texas to neighboring states like New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The World Health Organization has also reported cases related to Texas in Mexico, underscoring the urgent need for a coordinated response to contain the outbreak.

As the number of measles cases continues to rise nationwide, with over double the cases reported in 2024, concerns about the disease’s resurgence are mounting. Health officials, including U.S. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, have called for stronger messaging to encourage vaccination as the most effective means of preventing measles and safeguarding public health.

Despite misinformation and hesitancy surrounding vaccines, health experts stress the critical role of vaccination in curbing the spread of measles and preventing needless deaths. Doctors have cautioned against alternative treatments like vitamin A supplements, which can pose risks if not administered under medical supervision.

The tragic loss of young lives to measles underscores the urgency of addressing vaccine hesitancy and ensuring widespread immunization to protect vulnerable populations. Kennedy’s upcoming testimony before the Senate health committee highlights the need for a comprehensive response to the outbreak and a renewed commitment to public health initiatives to combat preventable diseases like measles.