A second child has died in Texas amid a growing measles outbreak that has now surpassed 480 reported cases in the state, health officials confirmed.
The child, an unvaccinated eight-year-old girl with no underlying health conditions, died in hospital from complications related to measles, according to Aaron Davis, vice president of UMC Health System. Her death comes just weeks after the virus claimed the life of a six-year-old girl in a local Mennonite community—the first child in the U.S. to die of measles in over a decade.
“This tragic loss highlights the critical importance of vaccination,” Davis stated. “Measles is extremely contagious and can cause serious health issues, especially in unvaccinated individuals.”
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Texas on Sunday in the wake of the second child’s death. Although previously criticized for his muted response and vaccine skepticism, Kennedy confirmed the death in a social media statement and announced he was deploying federal teams to aid local officials by distributing vaccines and supplies.
“The most effective way to prevent measles is the MMR vaccine,” Kennedy wrote.
Texas has seen a steep increase in cases this year, with infections now spreading to neighboring states including New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas—most linked to the initial outbreak in a religious community resistant to vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports over 600 measles cases nationwide so far in 2025, more than double last year’s total.
Measles, eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, has made a concerning comeback in recent years due to rising vaccine hesitancy. Health experts say 95% vaccination coverage is needed to maintain herd immunity, yet efforts to boost immunization rates in affected areas have made limited headway.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said Sunday that the outbreak “appears contained,” though he acknowledged the potential need for “very strong action” if the situation worsens.
Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, urged public health leaders to deliver a clearer message: “Everyone should be vaccinated! There is no treatment for measles. No benefit to getting measles.”
Medical professionals have also warned against alternative remedies, including Vitamin A supplements, which have led to cases of toxicity in some children treated at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock.
