A measles outbreak in the southwestern United States has tragically claimed the life of a second child, as confirmed by officials on Sunday.

“We are deeply saddened to report that a school-aged child who was recently diagnosed with measles has passed away,” stated Aaron Davis, vice president of UMC Health System, a medical center in Texas, in an interview with the AFP news agency.

Davis added that the child had been receiving treatment for “complications of measles,” and did not have any underlying conditions or prior vaccination against the highly infectious disease.

In February, a child died of measles in the first death from the illness in the US in over a decade. The outbreak began in late January in Gaines County, a remote area in western Texas, where the vaccination rate is lower than the protective rate of 95%.

In March, an adult’s death in the neighboring state of New Mexico was also classified as a measles-related death.

Robert F. Kennedy, President Donald Trump’s Health Secretary, took to social media platform X on Sunday, stating, “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.”

Kennedy is known for his controversial stance on vaccines, which has raised concerns among healthcare experts across the nation. He has also described taking vaccines as a personal choice.

Davis emphasized that the second measles death “underscores the importance of vaccination.”

Kennedy confirmed that 642 cases of measles have been confirmed in 22 states, with 499 of them being in Texas alone.

Trump downplayed the outbreak when questioned by reporters, stating that it was “so far a fairly small number of people relative to what we’re talking about.” He promised “very strong action” would be taken if things worsened.

Edited by: Wesley Rahn

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/us-second-child-dies-of-measles-in-texas-hundreds-sick/a-72157676?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf