RFK Jr. Visits Texas as Measles Outbreak Claims Second Child’s Life

Seminole, Texas — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the heart of Texas’ growing measles outbreak on Sunday — the same day a funeral was held for a second young child who died from complications tied to the disease.

Kennedy, who was once known for his anti-vaccine stance, shared on social media that he traveled to Gaines County “to help control the outbreak” and offer comfort to grieving families. He was seen outside a local Mennonite church where the child’s funeral took place, but did not attend a nearby CDC press briefing.

The outbreak, centered in Seminole, began in late January and shows no sign of slowing. Texas now reports nearly 500 cases, with infections believed to have spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and even Mexico.

The most recent victim — a child with no underlying health conditions — died Thursday from measles pulmonary failure, according to state health officials. The child had been receiving treatment at UMC Health System in Lubbock.

This marks the third death linked to the outbreak:

• A young child in Texas
• An adult in New Mexico
• And now, another young child in Seminole

None of the individuals who died were vaccinated.

Kennedy, who took office earlier this year, had previously resisted calls to promote vaccinations. But in a shift, he acknowledged in a statement posted to X that vaccination is “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles.”

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine has been safely used for over 60 years and is 97% effective after two doses.

Still, Kennedy’s earlier vaccine skepticism, combined with mixed messaging from officials, has raised concerns among public health experts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that a new team was sent to the region on Sunday, after a previous team departed April 1. Dr. Manisha Patel, leading the new response, urged families not to delay seeking care for children showing symptoms.

“Call your doctor,” Patel said. “A healthcare professional can guide you on the next steps.”

Despite the urgency, official CDC statements stopped short of urging the public to get vaccinated — instead calling it a “personal decision” while emphasizing the need to be informed about vaccine risks and benefits.

Between March 28 and April 4, Texas saw 81 new measles cases and 16 additional hospitalizations. Nationwide, the U.S. has already surpassed the total number of measles cases reported in all of 2024 — and it’s only April.

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and liver specialist who voted to confirm Kennedy, sharply criticized the response, writing on X:

“Everyone should be vaccinated! There is no treatment for measles. No benefit to getting measles.”

Cassidy has asked Kennedy to testify before the Senate health committee this Thursday. It remains unclear whether Kennedy will appear.

Medical staff in Lubbock report treating children with vitamin A toxicity, linked to attempts by some families to treat measles with high doses of the supplement — a method unsupported by doctors.

Dr. Lara Johnson of Covenant Children’s Hospital said parents reported using vitamin A to prevent or treat measles. Doctors emphasize that such supplements should only be given under medical supervision.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Marks, the former FDA vaccine chief ousted after clashing with Kennedy, placed blame on current leadership.

“These are needless deaths,” Marks told the Associated Press. “Vaccination is how you prevent people from dying of measles.”

The CDC warns that if the outbreak continues, the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status, a designation it earned in 2000.

With declining childhood vaccination rates and cases spreading across state lines, experts predict this outbreak may last months — or even into next year.

Measles is highly contagious. It can live in the air for up to two hours, and 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will get infected. The CDC recommends the first MMR dose between 12–15 months, and the second between 4–6 years.

Source: AP News – RFK Jr. visits epicenter of Texas measles outbreak after death of second child who was infected