Measles Outbreak Spreads Across 22 States

A second child has died from measles in Texas amid a severe outbreak that has spread across 22 states, with nearly 500 cases in Texas alone. The child, who was unvaccinated and had no underlying health conditions, died from measles pulmonary failure in Lubbock. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been active in responding to the outbreak, advocating for the MMR vaccine as the most effective preventive measure despite his controversial history regarding vaccines. The outbreak began in a Mennonite community near Lubbock and has seen a 60% increase in vaccinations in that region compared to the previous year, though experts emphasize that more vaccinations are needed to achieve herd immunity. This outbreak has resulted in the highest measles case count since 2019, with the potential to exceed that year's total if the current rate continues. The CDC has redeployed teams to Texas to assist with containment efforts.