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6mo ago

Texas Measles Outbreak Expands to Nine States, Raising Public Health Concerns

Physicians emphasize the importance of MMR vaccination as misinformation about alternative treatments circulates.

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A child holds a man's finger during a service at Community Church of Seminole, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Seminole, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., at the White House on Feb. 26, 2025.
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Overview

  • The Texas measles outbreak has grown to 159 cases, with 22 hospitalizations and one confirmed death of an unvaccinated child.
  • The outbreak has spread to nine other states, including New Mexico, Florida, and California, with additional cases reported by the CDC.
  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine but stopped short of urging vaccination, promoting vitamin A and other supplements instead.
  • Experts warn that vitamin A is only effective in treating measles complications in malnourished individuals and does not prevent infection, cautioning against misinformation.
  • Public health officials stress that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles, with the CDC reporting the MMR vaccine is 97% effective with two doses.