More deaths may follow as the highly contagious disease spreads
Key Points:
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An8-year-old unvaccinated girlhas died of measles in Texas thesecond such death in the U.S. in a decade.
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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., long a controversial figure on vaccines, attended the funeral and issued hisstrongest pro-vaccine statement to date.
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Experts warn that without a major course correction,more preventable deathsmay follow as measles spreads.
A measles outbreak that has swept through parts of Texas claimed the life of an8-year-old girllast week, prompting public mourning and public reckoning forU.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose past vaccine skepticism has come under renewed scrutiny.
The girl, who wasunvaccinated and had no underlying conditions, died ofmeasles pulmonary failureearly Thursday at a hospital in Lubbock, marking only thesecond confirmed measles death in the U.S. in a decade. Hospital officials at UMC Health System confirmed the cause of death Sunday, hours before Kennedy attended her funeral.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kennedy called the death a tragedy and stated:
The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.
The remark marks adramatic shiftfrom statements Kennedy made just weeks ago, when he claimed despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary that the measles vaccine "causes deaths every year." His comments then drew sharp criticism from scientists, physicians, and public health leaders.
A warning sign
Public health experts fear this may only be the beginning of a troubling trend. With two, maybe three deaths already, I dont think its implausible that well see more, saidCaitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist specializing in infectious disease outbreaks.
This is what measles does, saidPeter Marks, the former top vaccine regulator at the FDA, who was recently ousted from his post, told The New York Tiimes.Unless we dramatically change course, drastically change course, its going to be a problem.
Helen Branswell, writing in the health journal Stat, who has been covering the outbreak extensively, reports that vaccine rates in some parts of the country including areas of Texas have dropped belowherd immunity thresholds, increasing the risk for further outbreaks.
Measles by the numbers
Measles is extremely contagious in fact, it's one of themost contagious viruses known.
- One person with measlescan infectup to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated peoplewho come into close contact.
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Thebasic reproduction number (R)for measles is12 to 18, meaning each infected person can pass it to 1218 others in a susceptible population. For comparison:
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COVID-19 (original strain): R 23
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Influenza: R 1.3
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How it spreads:
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Throughairborne respiratory droplets(coughing, sneezing, even breathing)
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The virus canlinger in the air or on surfacesforup to two hours
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You can catch it just bybeing in the same roomwhere an infected person was recently present
Prevention:
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TheMMR vaccine(measles, mumps, rubella) ishighly effective:
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1 dose: ~93% effective
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2 doses: ~97% effective
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If youre unsure about your vaccine status or exposure risk, its a good idea to check with a healthcare provider especially during outbreaks. Would you like info on how to get vaccinated or who should get tested?
Measles symptomsusually appear7 to 14 daysafter exposure to the virus and often beginmildly before becoming more severe.
Early Symptoms (Prodrome Phase):
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High fever(can spike to 104F / 40C)
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Cough
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Runny nose (coryza)
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Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
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Fatigue and general malaise
Classic Sign: Koplik Spots
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Tiny white or bluish spots inside the mouth (on the inner cheeks)
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Appear12 days before the rash
Later Symptoms: Measles Rash
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Starts35 days after symptoms begin
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Begins at thehairline and face, then spreads to therest of the body
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Appears asflat red spots, sometimes raised, often merging together
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Rash usually lasts5 to 6 days
When to Seek Medical Attention:
Measles can lead toserious complications, especially in:
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Children under 5
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Adults over 20
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Pregnant people
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People with weakened immune systems
Complications includepneumonia,ear infections,diarrhea,encephalitis (brain swelling), and in rare cases,death.
Prevention tip: TheMMR vaccine(measles, mumps, rubella) issafe and over 97% effectiveafter two doses.
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Posted: 2025-04-07 17:42:24
