Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. traveled to West Texas on Sunday, hours after a funeral was held for a second unvaccinated child who died from complications related to the state's rapidly growing measles outbreak. The visit marks Kennedy's first to the region since the outbreak began in January, which has now spread across multiple states and claimed three lives.
Kennedy wrote on X that he was in Gaines County "to console the families and to be with the community in their moment of grief," after meeting with relatives of the 6- and 8-year-old children who died. He was seen outside a Mennonite church where the latest funeral took place but did not attend a concurrent CDC news conference on the outbreak.
"This is the epitome of an absolute needless death," Dr. Peter Marks, former director of the FDA's vaccine division, told the Associated Press. "These kids should get vaccinated - that's how you prevent people from dying of measles."
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the second child died Thursday of "measles pulmonary failure" and had no underlying conditions. The child had been receiving care at UMC Health System in Lubbock. "It is important to note that the child was not vaccinated against measles and had no known underlying health conditions," said Aaron Davis, vice president of UMC Health System.
The outbreak has triggered at least 481 confirmed cases in Texas, with Gaines County accounting for nearly 66% of them. CDC officials said the virus has spread into New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Mexico. CDC incident manager Dr. Manisha Patel urged parents not to delay care, warning, "Call your doctor and make sure you're talking to a health care professional who can guide you on those next steps."
On Sunday, Kennedy stated that "the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles" is through vaccination-a notable shift in tone for a longtime vaccine skeptic. Critics, however, were quick to question the credibility of his messaging.
Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, criticized the secretary's response as "abysmal." He added, "The disease has returned because a critical percentage of parents have chosen not to vaccinate their children, in large part because of misinformation provided by people like RFK Jr."
Former supporters in Congress also voiced frustration. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R., La.), a physician who voted to confirm Kennedy, said on X, "Everyone should be vaccinated! There is no treatment for measles. No benefit to getting measles. Top health officials should say so unequivocally b/4 another child dies."
Kennedy has been reluctant to call for universal vaccination since taking office earlier this year, and the CDC has mirrored his more cautious tone. On Sunday, a CDC spokesperson described vaccination as a "personal decision" and encouraged people to "talk with their doctor," departing from the agency's historically strong pro-vaccine messaging.
Health misinformation has complicated the federal response. Some families have turned to high-dose vitamin A regimens promoted by holistic groups. Dr. Lara Johnson, chief medical officer at Covenant Children's Hospital in Lubbock, said several children were found with liver abnormalities linked to vitamin A toxicity. Johnson said they reported using vitamin A to treat and prevent the virus.
CDC spokesperson Jason McDonald confirmed that the agency's first team deployed to Gaines County in March and left April 1. A second team led by Dr. Patel "was redeployed and arrived today to assess needs" following requests from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and orders from Kennedy.
The outbreak has now exceeded 569 confirmed cases across affected states, with New Mexico reporting 54, Oklahoma 10, and Kansas 24 as of last week. Nationwide, the number of U.S. measles cases in 2025 has already more than doubled last year's total.
Medical experts fear the U.S. may lose its measles elimination status, granted in 2000. Measles can linger in the air for up to two hours and is so contagious that 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus are likely to become infected.
