Second Child Dies in U.S. Measles Outbreak as Cases Surpass 600

Health Minister Kennedy Jr. faces criticism for vaccine skepticism while visiting Texas, where vaccination rates have plummeted in some schools.

The United States is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades, with over 600 cases reported nationwide, including 481 in Texas alone.
A second child has died from measles in Texas, prompting Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to visit the state and attend the child’s funeral.
The outbreak is concentrated in unvaccinated communities, with some Texas schools reporting vaccination rates below 50%.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, has drawn criticism for promoting alternative remedies and downplaying the importance of vaccinations.
The federal government is providing vaccines and other resources to combat the outbreak, but misinformation and vaccine hesitancy remain significant barriers to containment.