A school-aged 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. Lubbock health officials confirmed the death but did not provide further details.
According to ABC7, the outbreak in rural West Texas has grown to 124 confirmed cases across nine counties, making it the state’s largest measles outbreak in nearly 30 years. There are also nine reported cases in eastern New Mexico. The majority of cases involve children between the ages of 5 and 17. Texas health department data indicates that most cases have occurred among people younger than 18, particularly in an “undervaccinated” Mennonite community where many children attend small private religious schools or are homeschooled.
CNN reported that all 18 people hospitalised so far in the outbreak were unvaccinated. While Robert F Kennedy Jr., the US Health and Human Services secretary, initially stated there had been two measles-related deaths, Texas health officials confirmed that only one had occurred. Kennedy also said during a cabinet meeting that hospitalizations were “mainly for quarantine,” but Dr Lara Johnson, chief medical officer of Covenant Health Lubbock Service Area, refuted that claim. “We don’t hospitalize patients for quarantine purposes,” she said. “We admit patients who need acute supportive treatment in our hospital.”
Measles, a highly contagious airborne disease, can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness, and death. According to the CDC, “Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed.” Dr Catherine Troisi, an infectious disease epidemiologist with UTHealth Houston, stated, “These outbreaks last between two to six months. That’s a long time. That’s a lot of kids infected … death is rare, but tragic when it happens.”
Vaccination rates in the affected counties remain low. ABC7 reported that nearly 14% of school-aged children in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak, have opted out of at least one required vaccine. CNN highlighted that nearly 1 in 5 incoming kindergartners in Gaines County did not receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in the 2023-24 school year. Free vaccination clinics have been set up in Lubbock, but only about 70 doses have been administered so far.
Experts warn that the outbreak is likely to continue. “I very rarely say I’m 100% sure of something, but I am 100% sure we will see an increase in cases,” said Troisi. Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, noted that cases may be undercounted and expressed concern about potential further spread at upcoming 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, but Texas health authorities are leading the outbreak response.
