United States Secretary of Health and Human Services visited the center of a growing measles outbreak in Texas, coinciding with the funeral of a young child who passed away due to a measles-related condition. In a social media post, the secretary mentioned efforts to manage the outbreak and visited Gaines County to offer condolences to the families who have lost two children. Although he was outside a Mennonite church where funeral services were held, he did not partake in a news conference by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the ongoing situation.
The outbreak, which began in late January in Seminole, Texas, has now expanded to nearly 500 cases within the state, with additional reports in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Mexico. The Texas State Department of State Health Services reported that the second child’s death resulted from measles-related pulmonary failure, despite having no pre-existing health issues. According to a spokesperson for a health system in Lubbock, the child had been receiving treatment for measles complications while hospitalized.
A total of three measles-related deaths have been linked to this outbreak: two children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico, none of whom were vaccinated. As he visited the area, the health secretary, who has previously advocated against vaccines, emphasized in a statement the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure against measles. He described cooperation with the West Texas Mennonite community, where the outbreak is predominantly spreading.
Health experts emphasize the efficacy of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is 97% effective against measles after two doses and has been safely administered for over six decades. Dr. Manisha Patel, a CDC incident manager, reiterated during a news conference the importance of timely medical care for children showing symptoms of measles.
The CDC disclosed that the first team arrived in early March and departed by April 1, but a team led by Patel was reassigned to evaluate needs at the health secretary’s direction, alongside a request from the Texas governor. The outbreak captured national attention, prompting legislative calls to bolster vaccination messaging and efforts from health officials.
Nationwide, the United States has experienced more than double the reported measles cases in all of 2024. Although the death was not initially included in recent measles reports, the CDC acknowledged its occurrence upon inquiry.
Efforts to control the situation are challenged by misinformation regarding measles prevention and treatment, including unsupported claims about the benefits of vitamin A supplements. Hospitals have observed cases of vitamin A toxicity, which were discovered during routine checks on unvaccinated children with measles.
Medical experts caution that declining vaccination rates might threaten the nation’s status in eliminating measles. The measles virus is highly contagious and can survive airborne for extended periods, with young children being particularly susceptible. Vaccination guidelines recommend the first dose between 12-15 months and the second between ages 4-6, to ensure effective protection against the virus.