Texas Faces Largest Measles Outbreak in Decades, Raising Alarm Over Vaccination Rates

Health officials warn of the dangers of declining immunization rates as cases surge in under-vaccinated communities, with one child confirmed dead.

Texas is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades, with 223 confirmed cases, including over 150 in Gaines County, predominantly affecting Mennonite communities with low vaccination rates.
A six-year-old girl in Texas has died from measles-related pneumonia, marking the first U.S. measles death since 2015, highlighting the disease's severe risks for unvaccinated individuals.
Vaccination rates in some affected areas are far below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, with preschooler immunization rates as low as 46% in certain districts.
Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has downplayed the outbreak, suggesting vitamins as a defense, a stance criticized by medical experts who emphasize vaccination as the most effective prevention method.
Global measles cases are on the rise, with Europe reporting its highest case numbers since 1997, underscoring the broader challenge of addressing vaccine hesitancy and gaps in immunization coverage.