Measles cases are on the rise in West Texas, prompting the first reported death from the virus in the United States in the past decade. During a recent meeting with President Trump and various cabinet members, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. downplayed the situation, describing it as “not unusual.” He noted, “Measles outbreaks occur annually,” and has previously expressed skepticism about the necessity and safety of measles vaccinations and other immunizations.

Public health experts have raised alarms, emphasizing that while measles cases do appear in the U.S. each year, the current outbreak is particularly alarming due to its significant scale, the tragic loss of a child, and the increasing frequency of such outbreaks as vaccination rates fall.

Jason Schwartz, an associate professor of health policy at the Yale School of Public Health, commented, “While occasional measles cases are not uncommon, a widespread outbreak of this magnitude is rare.” So far this year, over 164 people have contracted measles, surpassing half the total number of cases for all of 2024 and exceeding the 59 cases reported in 2023.

### Understanding Measles Outbreaks
Measles was officially declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, a milestone achieved thanks to widespread vaccination efforts. However, since that time, cases have continued to emerge each year, typically traced back to individuals who traveled to areas where the virus is prevalent and subsequently reintroduced it upon returning home.

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