First Measles Death in the US in a Decade: Unvaccinated Child Dies as West Texas Outbreak Reaches 124 Cases

First Measles Death in the US in a Decade: Unvaccinated Child Dies as West Texas Outbreak Reaches 124 Cases

A child who was not vaccinated has died from measles in West Texas, marking the first measles-related death in the United States since 2015. The child had been hospitalized in Lubbock before passing away, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, which confirmed the death but provided no further details.

The measles outbreak in rural West Texas has now affected 124 people, mostly children, across nine counties, making it the state's largest measles outbreak in nearly 30 years. There have also been nine reported cases in eastern New Mexico. The majority of those affected are children aged 5 to 17, particularly from an undervaccinated Mennonite community where many children attend small private religious schools or are homeschooled.

So far, all 18 people hospitalized in connection with the outbreak were unvaccinated. There was initial confusion about the number of deaths, as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated there had been two, but Texas health officials confirmed that only one death had occurred. Kennedy also claimed that hospitalizations were "mainly for quarantine," a statement that was refuted by Dr. Lara Johnson, Chief Medical Officer of Covenant Health Lubbock Service Area, who clarified, “We don’t hospitalize patients for quarantine purposes. We admit patients who need acute supportive treatment.”

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness, and death. The CDC warns that "up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed." Dr. Catherine Troisi, an infectious disease expert, noted that outbreaks typically last between two to six months, affecting many children. While death is rare, it is tragic when it occurs.

Vaccination rates in the affected counties remain low. Nearly 14% of school-aged children in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak, have opted out of at least one required vaccine. In the 2023-24 school year, almost one in five incoming kindergartners in Gaines County did not receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Although free vaccination clinics have been set up in Lubbock, only about 70 doses have been administered so far.

Experts predict that the outbreak will continue. Dr. Troisi stated, “I very rarely say I’m 100% sure of something, but I am 100% sure we will see an increase in cases.” Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, expressed concerns that the number of cases may be underreported and highlighted the potential for further spread at public events. "It will continue as long as the virus continues to find unvaccinated kids," he said.

The CDC is providing technical assistance, laboratory support, and vaccines as needed, while Texas health authorities are leading the outbreak response.

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