A second child has died in Texas from measles complications as a major outbreak continues to spread across the state. Nearly 500 confirmed cases have been reported, with officials warning that vaccination rates remain dangerously low.
Since the outbreak began in late January, Texas has seen a significant rise in measles cases, marking a serious public health concern. The most recent death, an unvaccinated eight-year-old girl, highlights the devastating consequences of the ongoing outbreak.
The Outbreak’s Rapid Spread in Texas
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the measles outbreak has now reached almost 500 confirmed cases in the state, with 481 cases reported as of the latest update.
This marks a significant increase from earlier weeks. The initial outbreak began in Gaines County, where vaccination rates are alarmingly low at just 82%, well below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.
The young girl, who had no underlying health conditions, died from measles-related pulmonary failure after being hospitalised for complications. This marks the second death from measles in Texas since the outbreak started.
Health officials are particularly concerned about the vulnerability of unvaccinated children in this region. As of Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed a nationwide total of 642 cases, with a vast majority being unvaccinated individuals.
The National Response to the Growing Crisis
While the outbreak remains largely concentrated in Texas, measles cases have also been reported in neighbouring states, including New Mexico and Oklahoma. The United States had been declared free of measles in 2000, but recent surges have raised alarm. In the past year alone, the number of measles cases has more than doubled compared to 2024.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have both addressed the situation, with Kennedy visiting Texas to comfort the affected families. Kennedy, despite his long-standing scepticism about vaccines, acknowledged the importance of vaccination as the most effective means of preventing the spread of measles.
The CDC and local health officials continue to urge communities to increase vaccination rates, warning that without achieving herd immunity, outbreaks like the one in Texas are likely to continue. Medical experts, including Texas health officials, have reiterated the critical need for vaccination to prevent further deaths.
