RFK Jr visits epicentre of measles outbreak after death of second infected child
US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the epicentre of Texas’ still-growing measles outbreak, the same day a funeral was held for a second young child who was not vaccinated and died from a measles-related illness.
Knnedy said in a social media post that he was working to “control the outbreak” and went to Gaines County on Sunday to comfort the families who have buried two young children.
He was seen outside of a Mennonite church where the funeral services were held, but he did not attend a nearby news conference held by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the outbreak.
US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., right, arrives at Reinlander Mennonite Church in Texas after a second measles death, on Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Annie Rice) (AP)
Seminole is the epicentre of the outbreak, which started in late January and continues to swell — with nearly 500 cases in Texas alone, plus cases from the outbreak believed to have spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Mexico.
The second young child died last Thursday from “what the child’s doctor described as measles pulmonary failure,” and did not have underlying health conditions, the Texas State Department of State Health Services said on Sunday in a news release.
Aaron Davis, a spokesperson for UMC Health System in Lubbock, said that the child was “receiving treatment for complications of measles while hospitalised.”
This is the third known measles-related death tied to this outbreak. One was another primary school-aged child in Texas and the other was an adult in New Mexico; neither were vaccinated.
It’s Kennedy’s first visit to the area as health secretary, where he said he met with families of both the children, aged six and eight, who died. He said he “developed bonds” with the Mennonite community in West Texas in which the virus is mostly spreading.
A funeral procession is seen after the second measles death in Texas, on Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Annie Rice) (AP)
Kennedy, an anti-vaccine advocate before ascending to the role of the US’ top health secretary earlier this year, has resisted urging widespread vaccinations as the measles outbreak has worsened under his watch. On Sunday, however, he said in a lengthy statement posted on X that it was “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles.”
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine has been used safely for more than 60 years and is 97 per cent effective against measles after two doses.
Manisha Patel, CDC incident manager, said that the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect against measles. She also told parents in Gaines County that it was important not to “delay care” for a child who is sick with measles.
“Call your doctor and make sure you’re talking to a health care professional who can guide you on those next steps,” Patel said.
The number of cases in Texas shot up by 81 between March 28 and April 4, and 16 more people were hospitalised. Nationwide, the US has more than double the number of measles cases it recorded during the whole of last year.
CDC Incident manager Manisha Patel urged parents in Texas to ensure their children were vaccinated against measles.. (AP Photo/Annie Rice) (AP)
With several states facing outbreaks of the vaccine-preventable disease — and declining childhood vaccination rates nationwide — some worry that measles may cost the US its status as having eliminated the disease.
Measles is a respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to two hours. Up to nine out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed, according to the CDC. The first shot is recommended for children ages 12 to 15 months, and the second for ages four to six years.
