Wed Feb 26 18:38:01 UTC 2025: ## First US Measles Death in Nearly a Decade Sparks Concerns Amidst Vaccine Hesitancy
**Lubbock, TX** – The death of an unvaccinated child in Texas from measles marks the first US fatality from the virus in almost a decade, raising serious concerns about declining vaccination rates and the resurgence of the highly contagious disease. The school-aged child, hospitalized in Lubbock last week, passed away within the last 24 hours after testing positive for measles, according to state health officials.
This death comes as over 130 measles cases have been reported in West Texas and New Mexico since the start of the year, the vast majority in unvaccinated children. Eighteen individuals in Texas have required hospitalization, and health officials warn of a potential increase in cases. The outbreak’s epicenter is Gaines County, with a large Mennonite population known for vaccine hesitancy. Texas law allows for religious exemptions to vaccination requirements, a factor contributing to the low vaccination rates.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Amesh Adalja of Johns Hopkins University stated that while multiple US outbreaks haven’t previously resulted in fatalities, a death was unfortunately inevitable given the current trends. He stressed the importance of vaccination in preventing these entirely preventable deaths, noting that measles still kills over 100,000 people worldwide annually.
The timing of this tragedy is particularly troubling given the recent appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as US health secretary. Kennedy, a vocal opponent of the MMR vaccine who has repeatedly and falsely linked it to autism, downplayed the severity of the situation, claiming measles outbreaks are common. In one of his first acts, his department postponed a crucial advisory panel meeting focused on vaccine recommendations, further fueling concerns.
The CDC recommends a 95% vaccination rate for herd immunity, but kindergarten vaccination coverage has dropped to 92.7% in 2023-2024, leaving thousands of children vulnerable. Measles, a highly contagious airborne virus, poses a severe threat to unvaccinated individuals and those with weakened immune systems. The last US measles-related death was in 2015, involving a vaccinated individual with a compromised immune system.
This latest death serves as a stark reminder of the continued threat of measles and the critical need for widespread vaccination. Health officials are urging parents to vaccinate their children to prevent further outbreaks and tragic losses.
First Piper 
One thing not mentioned: if you never dealt with measles, never had them, and don’t pay much attention to a child who says “mummy, I dont feel so good” you might not even notice the rash. What is also needed in this country is doctors who will tell parents what measles looks like, how to keep them safe, and get the poor things vaccinated.
I had them in high school (oy the embarrassment) –this was before vaccines– my mother took one look at me, called the doctor, and put me to bed with a book. Our parents grew up with this stuff, today’s parents haven’t a clue.
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