22 hours ago
Last Updated:April 12, 2025, 16:59 IST
Measles, which was considered "eliminated" in the US in 2000, is spreading quickly with 700 cases recorded this year. Texas accounts for most cases at 541, with active outbreaks in six states.
US Health Secretary RFK Jr has urged people to use the measles vaccine amid growing number of illnesses. (Photo: Reuters)
The United States is facing a deadly measles outbreak that is showing little signs of slowing down, with over 700 cases across six states recorded so far. Texas accounts for most measles cases at 541, with two children having passed away from measles-related illnesses.
As the measles outbreak continues to rise, experts say it may just be the beginning. US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a vaccine skeptic, has publicly urged people to get the measles to get the measles vaccine.
Public health experts say the measles outbreak is not slowing down as they rush to reach vaccine-hesitant residents. Six states, including Indiana, New Mexico, Kansas, Ohio and Oklahoma, have reported active outbreaks, with three or more cases.
Two Children Dead In Texas
Two children have been reported dead from measles-related illnesses, the first recorded deaths from the disease since 2015. Both children were not vaccinated against the disease. An unvaccinated adult from New Mexico also succumbed to the illness, marking the third measles-related death.
The outbreak in Texas began in late January. State health officials said Friday there were 36 new cases of measles since earlier this week, taking the total number of cases to 541 across 22 counties, with West Texas accounting for most cases. A total of 56 people in the state have been hospitalised since the outbreak.
At least 65% of the cases are in Gaines County, which has a population of 22,892 people. The county has logged 355 cases since January, which accounts for just over 1% of the county’s residents. The first child, aged 6, died of measles in late February, while the second 8-year-old child died last week, said Kennedy.
Health officials in Texas said the second child did not have underlying health conditions and died of “what the child’s doctor described as measles pulmonary failure." Meanwhile, New Mexico reported two new cases on Friday, bringing the tota number of cases to 58.
Why Is This Such A Big Deal?
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease, which contributed to several deaths, particularly among young children. Despite being considered “eliminated" in the US in 2000, it is spreading rapidly through the United States with over 700 cases reported this year.
It has spread rapidly among Mennonites, a religious community living near Seminole in Texas. New Mexico reported its first measles-related death on March 6. Kansas has reported 32 cases since March 13, while measles cases in Oklahoma have reached to 12 by Friday.
Ohio has confirmed 20 cases as of Thursday, while Indiana has confirmed six connected cases. Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.
Measles cases have also been found in neighbouring countries, as Canada is also seeing a spike in infections in Ontario and British Columbia, according to BBC. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said cases in Mexico are linked to the Texas outbreak. Health experts fear that the virus will take hold in other US communities with low vaccination rates and could stretch on for a year.
How To Prevent Measles?
The best way to prevent measles is through the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
In communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities. This is called “herd immunity." However, childhood vaccinations have declined across the US since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several members of the Mennonite community remain vaccine-hesitant thanks to mixed messaging from federal officials, including Kennedy, who has floated conspiracy theories about vaccine immunisation, including links to autism.
US President Donald Trump echoed Kennedy’s remarks in initially calling the measles outbreak in Texas “not unusual", saying that only a “fairly small number of people" had been impacted and was not something new. However, Kennedy changed his stance as the outbreaks continued, encouraging people to get the MMR vaccine.
(with agency inputs)
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:April 12, 2025, 16:59 IST
News world US Measles Cases Surge Past 700, Fresh Outbreaks In 6 States: Why Should The World Worry?
