...
By Aila Slisco
Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A Texas measles outbreak that has already killed one young child is expanding, according to an update from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Newsweek reached out for comment to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) via email on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. but has since made a comeback that experts have linked to rising anti-vaccine sentiment, with sporadic outbreaks that overwhelmingly impact the unvaccinated occurring somewhat frequently around the country.
Read More on News
Prior to widely available measles vaccines, the highly contagious illness infected millions in the U.S. and killed between 400 and 500 people per year, according to the CDC.
The ongoing measles outbreak in Texas, and smaller outbreaks in other states, has put Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. under the spotlight due to his long history of anti-vaccine activism.
...
What To Know
Texas DSHS said in a news release on Tuesday that 159 cases of measles had been recorded in the state since January, an increase of 13 since the previous update.
Children make up 127 of the cases, while adults account for 27. DSHS lists age data as "pending" for five cases. At least 80 of the cases were in unvaccinated people, while 74 people with "unknown" vaccination status have been stricken.
Only five cases were seen in people with a confirmed vaccination against measles. The state's biggest increase in cases was seen in Gaines County, rising from 98 last week to 107 on Tuesday.
The Texas measles outbreak has left 22 patients hospitalized. The death of one unvaccinated school-age child without underlying conditions—the country's first measles fatality in a decade—was reported last week.
Kennedy, who previously claimed the Texas outbreak was "not unusual," appeared to reverse his stance in a Fox News opinion article published on Sunday. The HHS secretary touted the effectiveness of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine while referring to the outbreak as "a call to action."
The CDC announced on Tuesday that it was partnering with Texas health officials to address the outbreak with a rapid response program known as "Epi-Aid." Officers with the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) will be providing on-site assistance in Texas for one to three weeks.
A measles case was also reported in an elementary school staff member in neighboring Oklahoma on Tuesday, marking the state's first case of the disease this year.
What People Are Saying
The Texas DSHS, in Tuesday's news release: "Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak."
Kennedy, in a statement shared Tuesday to X, formerly Twitter: "The measles outbreak in Texas is a call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health. By working together -- parents, healthcare providers, community leaders, and government officials, we can prevent future outbreaks and protect the health of our nation. Under my leadership, HHS is and will always be committed to radical transparency to regain the public's trust in its health agencies."
What Happens Next
More cases of measles, particularly among the unvaccinated, are likely to occur in Texas before the outbreak ends. But the full extent of the measles outbreak there and in other states is unknown at the moment.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines