Second measles death in the US: outbreak spreads to Texas

An unvaccinated adult tested positive for measles after his death as the virus spreads rapidly in West Texas. The controversial statements of Robert F. Kennedy Jr

Measles is back to worry the US with a second death recorded in New Mexico, where an unvaccinated adult tested positive for the virus after his death. The spread of the disease in West Texas is reaching alarming levels, with 159 cases already confirmed. This episode follows the death of a child last week in Texas, marking the first measles fatality in the US in ten years.

The spread of measles and the health scare

Measles is spreading rapidly in West Texas, with the largest outbreak in Gaines County, where most cases have been reported. Neighbouring Lea County, New Mexico, has recorded 10 cases. Health authorities fear the outbreak could worsen, with the most vulnerable sections of the population finding it difficult to access health services.

The controversial statements of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

After the first death, Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote an editorial in which he emphasised the importance of vaccines in individual and community protection against measles. However, known for his stance against vaccines, Kennedy avoided making a direct recommendation to parents to vaccinate their children, calling the decision a ‘personal choice’. His position was criticised, especially after the second death, by public health experts and virologists.

Experts’ reactions and the risk of an epidemic

Matteo Bassetti, director of Infectious Diseases at San Martino Hospital in Genoa, Italy, sharply criticised Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s policies regarding vaccines, warning that the measles outbreak in the US could be just the beginning of a wider health crisis. ‘Without vaccinations, measles could once again become a significant problem even in a developed country like the United States,’ Bassetti said, stressing the risk of a new epidemic.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)