A second unvaccinated school-age child in West Texas has succumbed to a measles-related illness, as the outbreak continues to spread rapidly across the region. According to hospital officials, the child, who did not have any underlying health conditions, was receiving treatment for measles-related complications at a Lubbock hospital when they passed away. The exact date of the child’s death has not been disclosed.
The news comes as the measles outbreak in West Texas shows no signs of slowing down, with over 570 reported cases across the region, including cases in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The World Health Organization has also reported cases linked to Texas in Mexico. The pace of the outbreak has accelerated significantly, with 81 new cases reported between March 28 and April 4, and 16 more people hospitalized.
The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine has been deemed safe and effective by health experts, with a 97% success rate against measles after two doses. Despite this, misinformation and anti-vaccination sentiments have hindered the public health response, leading to a surge in unvaccinated individuals and a rising number of cases. The vaccination rate in the US has been declining for years, with some states experiencing significant declines.
Health experts warn that the outbreak could go on for several more months, or even a year, if not contained. The majority of cases in West Texas are among unvaccinated individuals and children under the age of 17. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to two hours and can be contracted by up to 90% of susceptible individuals.
Dr. Lara Johnson, chief medical officer at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, reported that they have treated fewer than 10 children for liver issues due to vitamin A toxicity, a claimed remedy for measles promoted by some anti-vaccination advocates. Dr. Peter Marks, the former vaccine chief at the Food and Drug Administration, squarely places the blame for the death on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccination activist.
Kennedy is set to launch a “Make America Healthy Again” tour across the southwestern US this week, despite the growing concern over the measles outbreak. Experts and local health officials expect the outbreak to continue to spread unless a more aggressive response is mounted.
Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, has urged health officials to take a stronger stance on vaccination, emphasizing that there is no treatment for measles and that getting infected can have severe consequences. As the US struggles to contain the outbreak, concerns are growing that measles could be eradicated in the country, a designation it has held since 2000.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/child-death-measles-related-causes-west-texas-where-cases-are-nearing-500/article69420929.ece
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Publish Date: 2025-04-07 03:22:00
