The United States has recorded its first measles-related death in a decade after an unvaccinated child died during a measles outbreak in Texas.
The child, who was of school age, passed away in Lubbock, northwest Texas, after being hospitalized, according to a statement released by the state’s health department on Wednesday. This tragic incident comes as the country faces falling immunization rates and rising concerns over vaccine skepticism.
More than 130 cases of measles have been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico this year, with the majority involving individuals who were not vaccinated against the highly contagious disease. Health officials have linked the outbreak to a community of Mennonite Christian sect followers, some of whom are known for their reluctance to accept vaccines.
The surge in cases has reignited fears about the spread of preventable diseases amid growing anti-vaccine sentiment. This concern is further amplified by the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—a known vaccine skeptic—as the country’s top health official under President Donald Trump.
During Trump’s first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Kennedy sought to minimize concerns surrounding the outbreak. “Incidentally, there have been four measles outbreaks this year in this country,” Kennedy told reporters. “Last year, there were 16. So, it’s not unusual. We have measles outbreaks every year.”
Despite these comments, health experts warn that the recent increase in cases poses a significant threat to public health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles can cause severe complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling, particularly in young children and unvaccinated individuals.
The US experienced a sharp rise in measles cases in 2024, with 285 infections reported—a significant jump from 59 cases in 2023 and 121 in 2022. The last measles-related death occurred in 2015, following a 12-year period without any recorded fatalities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared measles eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning no outbreaks had persisted for a year or more. However, this status is now under threat due to the increasing number of outbreaks driven by vaccine hesitancy.
Health authorities emphasize that measles is a highly infectious and potentially life-threatening disease. According to the CDC, about one in five unvaccinated people who contract measles require hospitalization. For children, the risks are even higher—about one in 20 infected children develop pneumonia, which is the leading cause of measles-related deaths.
Infants too young to receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are especially vulnerable, heightening concerns about the broader public health impact of declining vaccination rates.
As the US faces this renewed measles threat, public health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination in preventing future outbreaks and protecting communities from deadly diseases.
