A measles outbreak in Texas has escalated to 159 cases, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist the state’s response efforts. The CDC is collaborating with the Texas Department of State Health Services through an “Epi-Aid” response, which involves the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) providing on-the-ground support to manage the outbreak. The CDC has previously helped with lab testing and the distribution of MMR vaccines in the affected area.

Gaines County, home to a large unvaccinated Mennonite population, is the epicenter of the outbreak. Texas also reported the first measles-related death in the US since 2015—a school-age child who was unvaccinated.

In response, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discussed efforts to treat those affected, including vitamin A and steroid treatments. He also acknowledged the challenges of vaccinating in communities with high vaccine mistrust, like the Mennonites. While Kennedy did not explicitly promote vaccination in his comments, he emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals through vaccination.

The outbreak underscores concerns over vaccine hesitancy and the importance of community immunity.