Measles, particularly prevalent in the Texas and New Mexico states, has seen an increase in recent weeks, spreading to 12 states in the USA and totaling 222 confirmed cases nationwide. A child and an adult have lost their lives due to measles in the USA.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA has issued a statement regarding the measles outbreak in the country. According to the official statement released on the CDC’s website, a total of 222 cases have been identified nationwide, mostly in children, with cases reported in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington in addition to Texas and New Mexico. As of March 7, Texas leads with 198 measles cases among the mentioned 12 states, with New Mexico following in second place with 10 cases.

A CHILD AND AN ADULT HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES The statement mentioned the tragic loss of a child in Texas and an adult in New Mexico due to measles, warning that the outbreak continues to spread and there may be an increase in case numbers in the coming days. With the approach of the spring and summer travel season in the country, the statement emphasized the vital role of public health officials in preventing the spread of measles through vaccination. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy made his first statement after taking office at a cabinet meeting held by President Donald Trump, addressing the resurgence of the measles outbreak in the country. Responding to a question about the death of an unvaccinated child in Texas due to measles, Kennedy stated, “This is not an unusual situation; we experience measles outbreaks every year.” Kennedy faced criticism for characterizing the death of a child from measles, unseen in the country since 2000, as “routine” and attempting to downplay the significance of the outbreak.