An unvaccinated child in Texas has died from measles, marking the first US fatality from the disease in nearly a decade, officials confirmed Wednesday. The death comes amid a growing outbreak, which Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has downplayed despite rising concerns.The fatality occurs during a period of decreasing immunisation rates across the country, with recent cases primarily affecting a Mennonite religious group traditionally reluctant towards vaccines.This development coincides with Kennedy’s appointment as health secretary, notable for his history of spreading incorrect information about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.”The school-aged child who was not vaccinated was hospitalised in Lubbock last week and tested positive for measles,” stated the state health department in a news release.Lubbock city officials confirmed the child’s death “within the last 24 hours.”Over 130 measles cases have been documented in west Texas and adjacent New Mexico since the year began, predominantly affecting unvaccinated children. In Texas, eighteen individuals have required hospitalisation, with health authorities predicting further spread.During a President Donald Trump cabinet meeting, Kennedy diminished the situation, stating, “It’s not unusual. You have measles outbreaks every year.”He cited two deaths, although neither Texas nor New Mexico health departments confirmed any additional casualties.”While multiple measles outbreaks in the United States have not resulted in a death, it was only a matter of time that one would occur,” infectious disease physician Amesh Adalja of Johns Hopkins University told AFP.”Measles still kills over 100,000 individuals every year worldwide. The death should serve as a reminder that there was a reason that the vaccine was developed and that the vaccine is a value to individuals,” Adalja continued.”These deaths are almost entirely preventable,” he added.The outbreak centres on Gaines County, home to a substantial Mennonite community, a Christian denomination historically hesitant about vaccination.Texas legislation permits vaccine exemptions based on conscience, including religious beliefs.The CDC advocates for 95 percent vaccination coverage to maintain “herd immunity.”Nevertheless, kindergarten coverage has reduced from 95.2 percent in 2019-2020 to 92.7 percent in 2023-2024, leaving approximately 280,000 children unprotected.The previous US measles-related death occurred in 2015, involving a Washington state woman who died from pneumonia caused by the virus. Despite being vaccinated, she was taking immunosuppressive medication. The preceding recorded measles death was in 2003.Measles, an airborne respiratory virus, transmits through infected individuals’ breathing, coughing, or sneezing. It particularly threatens unvaccinated people, including infants under 12 months ineligible for vaccination, and immunocompromised individuals.During outbreaks, hospitalisation affects one in five infected persons, with one in 20 developing pneumonia.Occasionally, measles causes brain inflammation and can be lethal. It also heightens pregnancy complications, including premature births and reduced birth weight.The CDC reported 285 measles cases in 2023. The most significant recent outbreak occurred in 2019, with 1,274 cases, mainly affecting Orthodox Jewish communities in New York and New Jersey.Before the 1963 measles vaccine introduction, millions likely contracted the illness annually, with hundreds of fatalities. Despite being declared eliminated in 2000, outbreaks continue yearly in the US.
Texas child dies from measles, marking first US fatality in a decade
