USA, second girl dies of measles in Texas: she was 8 years old and unvaccinated
Measles Claims Another Child in Texas: Second Death Since Beginning of the Year
An 8-year-old girl has died from measles in Texas, marking the second pediatric death since the start of the year. The child succumbed to pulmonary complications at UMC Health System in Lubbock. According to reports, she was unvaccinated and had no underlying health conditions. In February, another unvaccinated child also died from the disease.
The outbreak shows no signs of abating. Since late January, when it began, Texas has reported 481 measles cases and 56 hospitalizations, an increase from 420 cases the previous week. The infection has spread to neighboring states, with 54 cases in New Mexico and 10 in Oklahoma. In 2000, the U.S. had declared measles eliminated, and no deaths had been recorded in the past decade. However, this surge, originating from an undervaccinated Mennonite community in Gaines County, threatens to reverse progress made over the past 25 years. Health authorities in western Texas anticipate the outbreak could persist for several months.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has faced criticism for his handling of the situation. Previously known for his vaccine skepticism, Kennedy initially attempted to reassure the public by stating there was “nothing unusual” about the outbreak. He later adjusted his stance, acknowledging the severity but stopping short of explicitly recommending vaccination. Instead, Kennedy suggested alternative therapies, such as cod liver oil and vitamin A, as supportive measures against measles. This has resulted in several children being hospitalized due to vitamin A toxicity
