A second child has died from measles in western Texas, deepening concerns over a rapidly expanding outbreak of the highly contagious virus. The latest victim, an eight-year-old girl with no underlying health conditions, was unvaccinated and died on Thursday due to complications from the disease.
Aaron Davis, Vice-President of UMC Health System, confirmed the death, emphasising the urgent need for vaccination. “This unfortunate event underscores the importance of vaccination,” he said. “Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, particularly for those who are unvaccinated.”
The US Health Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, visited Texas on Sunday following the child’s death. In a statement on social media, he expressed his intent to “console the families” and support local officials, stating that he had deployed a team to distribute vaccines and other medical supplies.
Texas has reported over 480 cases of measles so far in 2025—an increase from 420 just days earlier. The outbreak, which began in a religious community known for rejecting vaccines, has now spread to neighbouring states including New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Many of the reported cases involve unvaccinated individuals.
The current situation marks the most significant measles outbreak the United States has seen in years. In February, an unvaccinated six-year-old girl from a Mennonite community became the first child to die from measles in the US in a decade. In March, an unvaccinated man in New Mexico also died after contracting the virus, though his death is still under investigation.
Despite the growing crisis, President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday that he believes the outbreak is “so far a fairly small number of people” and assured that the government would consider “very strong action” if the situation worsens.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded more than 600 measles cases across the country this year, more than double the 285 recorded in all of 2024. Public health experts attribute the resurgence to rising anti-vaccine sentiment, which has eroded herd immunity levels.
Health officials warn that measles can cause severe complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are 97% effective at preventing the disease. To achieve herd immunity, at least 95% of the population needs to be immunised.
Kennedy, a longtime vaccine sceptic, has faced criticism for his early handling of the outbreak. Initially describing the situation as “not unusual,” he later modified his stance following February’s death. However, he stopped short of urging parents to vaccinate, instead encouraging them to consult their doctors.
His messaging has drawn backlash from health experts and lawmakers alike. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana and a physician, called for clearer, stronger messaging. “Everyone should be vaccinated! There is no treatment for measles. No benefit to getting measles,” he posted on social media.
Kennedy has also suggested Vitamin A as a treatment for measles, a recommendation doctors say should be reserved for specific cases under medical supervision. In Lubbock, Texas, several children were hospitalised for Vitamin A toxicity after receiving excessive doses during treatment for measles complications.
As the outbreak continues to claim lives and spread across states, health officials are urging the public to act decisively—by getting vaccinated and rejecting misinformation.
