Measles Outbreak in Texas Claims First U.S. Death in a Decade

An unvaccinated child has died as cases surge, reigniting concerns over falling vaccination rates and leadership under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The United States has recorded its first measles-related death in a decade, with an unvaccinated school-aged child dying in Texas during a growing outbreak.
More than 130 measles cases have been reported in Texas and New Mexico this year, marking the largest outbreak in Texas in over 30 years.
The outbreak follows a decline in vaccination rates since the COVID-19 pandemic, with national coverage for measles vaccinations dropping below 93% in 2023.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine stance, has downplayed the severity of the outbreak, calling it 'not unusual' and questioning the risks of measles in the past.
Public health experts warn that the resurgence of measles, once declared eradicated in the U.S., highlights the dangers of vaccine hesitancy and its potential to revive preventable diseases.