Texas Records First Measles Death in a Decade Amid Growing Epidemic

A non-vaccinated school-aged child has died as measles cases surge in Texas and neighboring states, reigniting concerns over declining vaccination rates.

A school-aged child in Lubbock, Texas, died from measles, marking the first U.S. measles-related death in nearly a decade.
Over 130 cases of measles have been reported since January in Texas and New Mexico, with a significant cluster in a Mennonite community with low vaccination rates.
Experts link the rise in cases to declining vaccination rates, which have dropped nationally from 95% in 2019 to below 93% in 2023, with regional disparities.
Health officials warn of the risks posed by measles, a highly contagious virus that can lead to severe respiratory and neurological complications.
The new U.S. Health Minister, Robert Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine stance, has downplayed the outbreak's severity despite growing concerns from health professionals.