The outbreak of measles in the southwestern United States claims to live in a second child, officials confirmed Sunday.
Aaron Davis, vice president of UMC Health System, a Texas medical center, told AFP News Agency.
Davis added that children who were being treated for “measles complications” had no underlying conditions and were not vaccinated against highly infectious diseases.
In February, the child died of measles from the first death from a US illness for over a decade. The outbreak began in late January in remote Gaines County in western Texas, with vaccination rates below 95% protection.
In March, an adult death in neighbouring New Mexico was also classified as measles-related deaths.
Kennedy is seeking vaccinations
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., health secretary to US President Donald Trump, took him to social media platform X on Sunday and said “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.”
Kennedy is known for underestimating the importance of vaccines that have surprised health professionals around the country. He also describes the vaccine as a personal choice.
Davis of Texas Medical Center said the second measles death “emphasised the importance of vaccination.”
Kennedy said 642 cases of measles have been confirmed in 22 states, of which 499 have been confirmed in Texas alone.
He made comments during a trip to Texas to meet the family of two children who died from illness.
But Trump downplayed the outbreak when he was questioned by a reporter on Air Force 1 and said, “We’ve been quite a few people so far.” He promised that if things got worse, “very strong actions” would be taken.
Editor: Wesley Larne
