First US Measles Death in a Decade During Texas Outbreak
An unvaccinated child in Texas dies from measles, marking the first U.S. death from the disease since 2015 amidst a significant outbreak.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to humans.
Measles death of unvaccinated child in Texas outbreak is 1st fatality in US in a decade
ABC News·20d
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The outbreak has so far infected at least 124 people — mostly children — in rural West Texas.
First measles death reported in Texas as Kennedy downplays outbreak
NBC News·20d
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The vaccination rate is far lower in some places, including Gaines County where the rate has dropped to just under 82%.
A child has died in the Texas measles outbreak
NPR·20d
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The US declared measles "eliminated" in 2000, but the country has seen outbreaks in recent years amid a rise in anti-vaccine sentiment.
Texas measles outbreak claims first life
BBC News·20d
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The crisis is in Texas is hitting just as the US Health and Human Services Department falls into the hands of the notorious vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr.
Unvaccinated child dies of measles in west Texas as outbreak worsens
The Guardian·20d
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The outbreak has been limited so far to parts of Texas bordering New Mexico.
A child dies of measles in West Texas outbreak
CNBC·20d
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, but doctors and health officials say the vaccine, which is normally given as part of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, is highly safe and effective.
First measles death reported in Texas child amid outbreak infecting more than 120 people
CBS News·20d
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The outbreak has sparked fears among health officials that the disease could be rebounding in the U.S. amid falling vaccination rates.
Unvaccinated child dies in Texas measles outbreak
Axios·20d
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Vaccination rates across the U.S. have declined nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic and most states are below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergartners — the level needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks.
An Unvaccinated Child Has Died In Texas Measles Outbreak
HuffPost·20d
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.Given how contagious measles is, health officials warn that cases may continue to rise in the area.
First measles death reported in the West Texas outbreak is school-aged child
CNN·20d
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.Vaccination rates across the U.S. have declined nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic and most states are below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergartners — the level needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks.
An unvaccinated child has died in the Texas measles outbreak
Associated Press·20d
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Summary
An unvaccinated child in Texas, who was hospitalized with measles, has died, making it the first U.S. measles death in nearly a decade. The Texas outbreak has infected at least 124 people, primarily unvaccinated children, highlighting rising cases following declining vaccination rates. Health officials state this outbreak, centered around a less vaccinated community, may contribute to fears of measles resurgence in the U.S., where the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Calls for vaccination have increased as officials work to control the outbreak.
Perspectives
The recent measles outbreak in West Texas has resulted in the first death related to the disease in the United States since 2015, highlighting the risks associated with low vaccination rates, particularly among unvaccinated children.
Experts report that the outbreak has predominantly affected the unvaccinated population, particularly within the local Mennonite community, where vaccine exemptions are alarming, nearing 18% for the current school year.
Health officials emphasize the need for vaccinations to combat the resurgence of measles, which was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, calling attention to the dangerous complications of the disease and the need to prioritize public health.