By Daniel Orton
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An unvaccinated child has died from measles in West Texas, officials said, marking the first fatality from the disease in the U.S. since 2015.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed the death on Wednesday but did not disclose the patient's age. The school-aged child passed away overnight.
The outbreak, which began in late January, has now spread to multiple counties and affected more than 120 people.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation's top health official and a vaccine critic, said Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is "watching" cases, though he did not provide specifics on how the federal agency is assisting. He dismissed Texas' outbreak as "not unusual" during a Wednesday meeting of President Donald Trump's Cabinet members.
"We're following the measles epidemic every day," Kennedy said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has told the AP it is providing vaccines as well as technical and laboratory support in West Texas, but the state health department is leading the response.
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Why It Matters
The measles outbreak in this rural region of the Lone Star State has become its largest in nearly 30 years, with 124 cases reported across nine counties, according to the Texas DSHS.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that this is the first measles-related death in the U.S. in nearly a decade.
Measles cases in the U.S. surged in 2019 to their highest levels in almost 30 years, and outbreaks continued in 2024, including a cluster of over 60 cases in Chicago. The CDC is assisting Texas health officials by providing vaccines, laboratory support, and technical assistance, though the state health department is leading the investigation.
Earlier in February, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said a panel would investigate the childhood vaccine schedule that prevents dangerous diseases, including measles.
What To Know
Health officials report that the outbreak has been concentrated within the Mennonite community in West Texas, where vaccination rates are lower. The disease has spread across sparsely populated areas where residents frequently travel between towns for work, church, and daily activities.
Five of the cases are vaccinated while the rest are unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown, the Texas DSHS said. Eighteen people have been hospitalized.
The majority of cases are aged 5-17 years old. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is recommended for children starting at 12 to 15 months old with a second dose between ages 4 and 6, is highly effective at preventing infection and severe complications.
Gaines County, which has reported 80 cases, has one of Texas' highest vaccine exemption rates, with nearly 14 percent of K-12 students opting out of at least one required immunization in the 2023-24 school year.
Additionally, eastern New Mexico has reported nine cases.
Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus, can linger in the air for up to two hours. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that up to 90 percent of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus will become infected. While most children recover, measles can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and even death.
What People Are Saying
In a statement on Tuesday, the DSHS said: "Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities."
Andrew Mahaleris, Texas Governor Greg Abbott's press secretary, told Newsweek: "This loss of a child is a tragedy, and Governor and First Lady Abbott pray for the family, loved ones, and the entire West Texas community … The State will deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safety and health of Texans."
Virologist Dr. Jacob Glanville told Newsweek: "This is very infectious. The current outbreak will continue to spread, particularly in unvaccinated children. Medical experts in Texas and neighboring states should act now to suppress the outbreak before it becomes a national problem. In 2010 the USA was declared measles-free. Let's not slide backwards into the past."
What Happens Next
The Texas DSHS said it was working with local health departments in West Texas to investigate cases, provide immunizations where needed, and keep the public informed.
A press conference is scheduled for later on Wednesday.
This article contains reporting from The Associated Press
Update, 2/26/25, 12:11 p.m. ET: This article and headline were updated with additional information.
Update, 2/26/25, 3:45 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update, 2/27/25, 5:53 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Dr. Jacob Glanville.
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