Abdelrahman
Tragic Measles Outbreak Claims Life of Unvaccinated Child in West Texas
LUBBOCK — In a heartbreaking development, a child who was not vaccinated has succumbed to complications from a measles outbreak in rural West Texas, making it the first recorded death from this highly contagious disease in the United States since 2015, as confirmed by state officials on Wednesday.
The school-aged child had been receiving treatment in a hospital before tragically passing away on Tuesday night during what is being called Texas’ largest measles outbreak in nearly three decades. This outbreak, which began last month, has already seen a concerning growth of 124 confirmed cases across nine counties.
The Texas Department of State Health Services, along with Lubbock health officials, verified the child’s death to The Associated Press. The hospital where the child was treated, known for managing most measles cases during this outbreak, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the situation.
During a recent meeting of President Trump’s Cabinet, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent health official and vaccine skeptic, noted that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is monitoring the situation but did not provide in-depth details about federal assistance. He remarked that the ongoing outbreak in Texas is “not unusual."
Kennedy stated, “We’re observing the [measles epidemic] daily,” in reaction to inquiries concerning the child’s unfortunate death. While he initially reported two deaths, a spokesperson clarified later that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes only one fatality.
In response to the outbreak, the federal government is supplying vaccines and offering technical and laboratory support in West Texas, though the Texas Health Department is spearheading the operational response, according to Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the Health and Human Services Department.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office reported that there is constant communication with state health officials and epidemiologists, and vaccination teams are actively deployed to the impacted areas. Spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris described the child’s death as a tragedy and emphasized the state’s commitment to utilizing all necessary resources to safeguard the health of Texans.
Currently, the CDC plans to provide weekly updates on the measles outbreak, though it has not yet updated its public information to include the recent death. Data from Texas health authorities indicates that a significant number of reported measles cases are in children.
The virus has predominantly spread in rural regions of West Texas, particularly among a “close-knit, undervaccinated” Mennonite community. Notably, Gaines County, which has recorded 80 cases, boasts a substantial homeschooling and private school presence. Furthermore, it reports one of the highest rates in Texas for school-aged children who have opted out of at least one mandatory vaccine—about 14% during the last school year.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is both safe and highly effective, recommended for children at 12 to 15 months for the first dose, with a subsequent dose administered between 4 and 6 years of age.
Vaccination rates have seen a decline nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic, with many states falling below the critical 95% coverage level necessary to prevent outbreaks. The MMR vaccine is mandatory for children enrolling in public kindergarten across the nation.
Recently, Kennedy expressed intentions to reevaluate the childhood vaccination schedule that protects against measles, polio, and various other serious diseases, despite previously assuring that no changes would be made during his confirmation hearings.
Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus, can remain airborne for up to two hours and poses a significant risk, as up to 90% of susceptible individuals may contract it upon exposure, according to the CDC. While most children recover from measles, the infection can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death.
In the year 2000, the U.S. had achieved a status of measles elimination, indicating a pause in continuous disease transmission for at least one year. However, cases surged again in 2024, highlighted by an outbreak in Chicago that impacted over 60 individuals.
By DEVI SHASTRI and AMANDA SEITZ, The Associated Press
Note: The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group, as well as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely accountable for all content.
