A tragic incident has occurred in Texas, as officials have confirmed the death of a child from measles. This marks the first known death in the current large outbreak in West Texas and the first measles-related death in the United States since 2015. The child, described as school-aged, had not been vaccinated, and details about their gender and previous health status have not been disclosed.
The individual was hospitalized in Lubbock, where they tragically lost their battle with the disease. This outbreak has already resulted in 18 hospitalizations in the state of Texas alone. The Texas Department of Health has reported a total of 124 confirmed cases across nine counties in the state, with an additional nine cases identified in New Mexico.
In light of this devastating loss, experts are concerned that the actual number of cases in the outbreak may be higher than reported. Infectious diseases expert Paul Offit from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia noted that the death rate from measles is approximately one fatality per 1,000 cases, indicating a potentially larger outbreak.
The timing of this measles death coincides with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has been a vocal advocate against certain vaccines, including the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, linking it to autism despite scientific evidence refuting such claims.
As of 2025, multiple jurisdictions in the U.S. have reported measles cases, including Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates its measles count website monthly, with the most recent data from February 20 listing 93 cases nationwide. However, the Texas outbreak alone surpasses this number.
STAT News has reached out to the CDC for further information on the Texas measles death. The tragic loss of a child to this preventable disease serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination and public health measures in combating infectious diseases.
