Texas Measles Outbreak Infects 500, Claims Three Lives

Rep. Ryan McKenzie (R-PA) has attributed a recent measles outbreak in Texas, which has affected over 500 people and led to three deaths, to illegal immigrants, claiming they are bringing diseases into the U.S. During a CNN town hall, he emphasized his personal commitment to vaccinating his one-year-old son and described the measles vaccine as safe and effective. However, he criticized the lack of health checks for immigrants crossing the border, suggesting this has contributed to the resurgence of measles, a disease that had been nearly eradicated in the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also visited the impacted Mennonite community, where most cases involved unvaccinated individuals. Public health officials have expressed serious concerns about the implications of the outbreak and the politicization surrounding vaccination and immigration. The outbreak has sparked a broader dialogue on vaccination and public health safety amidst rising cases of preventable diseases.