Second Child Dies as Texas Measles Outbreak Grows
A second child has died from measles in Texas, as the outbreak of the virus continues to spread across the region. Eight-year-old Daisy Hildebrand, who was unvaccinated and had no underlying health conditions, died in hospital on Thursday from measles complications. The outbreak began in late January in Gaines County, and since then, Texas has seen nearly 500 confirmed cases, with over 70% of them affecting children and teens.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. traveled to West Texas on Sunday to attend Daisy’s funeral and meet with grieving families. “My intention was to come down here quietly to console the families and to be with the community in their moment of grief,” he said. While Kennedy has previously downplayed the outbreak, he now says the MMR vaccine is “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles,” and confirmed a team from the CDC has been deployed to support local efforts.
The outbreak has reached neighboring states including New Mexico, Oklahoma, and possibly Kansas. Despite measles being declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, cases have surged in recent years, mostly among unvaccinated individuals. Experts warn the current numbers are likely undercounted and stress that there is no treatment for measles. “Everyone should be vaccinated!” said Senator Bill Cassidy. “There is no benefit to getting measles.”
