HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the family of the second unvaccinated child, who died of measles. On Sunday, Apr. 7, Kennedy confirmed visiting Gaines County to ‘comfort’ the family of the deceased. “I came to Gaines County, Texas, today to comfort the Hildebrand family after the loss of their 8-year-old daughter Daisy,” Kennedy said in a post on X.
“My intention was to come down here quietly to console the families and to be with the community in their moment of grief,” the HHS Secretary added. According to an obituary, a funeral of the deceased was scheduled on Sunday afternoon.
He also added that the HHS is partnering with Texas health officials to control the measles outbreak. The total number of confirmed measles cases has risen to 642, of which 499 are in Texas.
The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine, the HHS Secretary noted.
With measles cases on the rise, and two deaths of unvaccinated children confirmed, the importance of vaccination as well as prevention cannot be stressed enough.
While measles can affect anyone, it is most common in children, according to WHO, The complications of the disease are most common in children under the age of 5. Here’s everything you need to know about the complications of the disease.
What is measles?
Measles is not just rash. It is a highly contagious disease. It is caused by a virus, which can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.
Video
The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of measles usually begin 7–14 days after exposure to the virus.
Early symptoms include:
Measles rash appears in 3 to 5 days after the symptoms begin.
What are the complications of measles?
Complications of the disease are most common in children under 5 years. According to WHO, children who are malnourished, 'especially those without enough vitamin A or with a weak immune system from HIV or other diseases' are more likely to have complications. As measles weakens the immune system, it can make your body forget how to protect against infections, making children extremely vulnerable.
The complications of the disease include:
“My intention was to come down here quietly to console the families and to be with the community in their moment of grief,” the HHS Secretary added. According to an obituary, a funeral of the deceased was scheduled on Sunday afternoon.
He also added that the HHS is partnering with Texas health officials to control the measles outbreak. The total number of confirmed measles cases has risen to 642, of which 499 are in Texas.
The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine, the HHS Secretary noted.
I came to Gaines County, Texas, today to comfort the Hildebrand family after the loss of their 8-year-old daughter Daisy. I got to know the family of 6-year-old Kayley Fehr after she passed away in February. I also developed bonds with and deep affection for other members of…
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) April 6, 2025
With measles cases on the rise, and two deaths of unvaccinated children confirmed, the importance of vaccination as well as prevention cannot be stressed enough.
While measles can affect anyone, it is most common in children, according to WHO, The complications of the disease are most common in children under the age of 5. Here’s everything you need to know about the complications of the disease.
What is measles?
Measles is not just rash. It is a highly contagious disease. It is caused by a virus, which can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.
Video
The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of measles usually begin 7–14 days after exposure to the virus.
Early symptoms include:
- High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
- Cough
- Runny nose (coryza)
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Measles rash appears in 3 to 5 days after the symptoms begin.
What are the complications of measles?
Complications of the disease are most common in children under 5 years. According to WHO, children who are malnourished, 'especially those without enough vitamin A or with a weak immune system from HIV or other diseases' are more likely to have complications. As measles weakens the immune system, it can make your body forget how to protect against infections, making children extremely vulnerable.
The complications of the disease include:
- blindness
- encephalitis (an infection causing brain swelling and potentially brain damage)
- severe diarrhoea and related dehydration
- ear infections
- severe breathing problems including pneumonia.
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