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- Measles cases rise to 700, adding pressure to RFK Jr. (thehill.com)
Measles Outbreak Surpasses 700 Cases, Pressure Mounts on HHS Secretary
The U.S. measles outbreak has topped 700 cases, intensifying scrutiny on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 712 total cases across 25 states, with new cases emerging in Kansas, Ohio, and Indiana. This surge follows Kennedy’s suggestion earlier this week that the outbreak was plateauing.
Texas continues to bear the brunt of the outbreak, reporting 514 cases, 36 of which are new. Gaines County, Texas, accounts for 355 of the state’s cases.
Tragically, two unvaccinated Texas children, both without underlying conditions, have died from measles complications. At least 56 individuals have been hospitalized statewide since the outbreak began earlier this year.
Following the death of an 8-year-old girl in Gaines County, Kennedy visited the family and community. He emphasized the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as the most effective preventative measure.
This visit comes amid criticism of the department’s response and Kennedy’s past stance on childhood vaccines. “My intention was to come down here quietly to console the families and to be with the community in their moment of grief,” Kennedy stated.
Other states are also experiencing a rise in cases. New Mexico reports 58 cases, including six in individuals who had received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.
One death in New Mexico, an unvaccinated individual who tested positive for measles, is currently under investigation. Kansas reports 32 cases, with half occurring in children aged 5 to 17.
Indiana has confirmed six cases, all located in Allen County.
Despite initial criticism of his response, Kennedy has received some praise for promoting the MMR vaccine. “It’s encouraging that there was an acknowledgement of basic public health knowledge,” noted Jason Schwartz, a vaccine researcher at the Yale School of Public Health, adding, “It’s noteworthy that the acknowledgement was the stuff of headlines.”
This outbreak marks Kennedy’s first major challenge reconciling his past vaccine skepticism with his current leadership role, particularly as public health resources have been strained by funding cuts.
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- Measles cases rise to 700, adding pressure to RFK Jr. (thehill.com)