The measles outbreak in Texas has tragically claimed a second life, bringing the total U.S. measles-related deaths this year to three. This somber news comes as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., visited the state over the weekend, offering his strongest endorsement of measles vaccination to date while simultaneously promoting unproven treatments.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the second death late Saturday, which occurred on Thursday. The victim, identified as eight-year-old Daisy Hildebrand, succumbed to measles pulmonary failure at University Medical Center Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. RFK Jr. attended Hildebrand’s funeral on Sunday, underscoring the complex interplay of vaccine advocacy, misinformation, and the tragic consequences of preventable disease. Similar to the first Texas fatality last month, Hildebrand was unvaccinated and had no pre-existing health conditions.
As of early April, Texas has reported 481 measles cases since mid-January, with 56 hospitalizations. These cases are part of a larger outbreak spanning Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and potentially Kansas, primarily affecting unvaccinated Mennonite communities in rural areas. Isolated, travel-related cases have also been reported in over a dozen other states. With over 600 cases nationwide, 2025 has already surpassed last year’s total and is on track to potentially exceed the 1,274 cases reported in 2019, the highest number since measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. New Mexico also reported a measles-related death last month, though it’s still unconfirmed if measles was the direct cause. These represent the first U.S. measles fatalities since 2015.
In a social media post on Sunday, RFK Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, stated, “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR [measles, mumps, and rubella] vaccine.” This marked his clearest endorsement of vaccination yet. However, he also promoted medically unproven treatments, claiming he met with doctors Richard Bartlett and Ben Edwards who allegedly “treated and healed” 300 Mennonite children using aerosolized budesonide (a steroid) and clarithromycin (an antibiotic).
While steroids have been used in rare cases for severe measles complications like brain swelling, there’s insufficient evidence for their routine use. A 2023 study found no benefit from steroid use during a 2017 Italian measles outbreak. Antibiotics, while effective against bacterial infections, are useless against viral infections like measles. Moreover, these medications carry risks; steroids, for example, can suppress the immune system.
RFK Jr. has also previously advocated for cod liver oil (rich in vitamin A) as a measles treatment. However, vitamin A deficiency is rare in the U.S., and its use has led to vitamin A toxicity in some children treated for measles.
While RFK Jr.’s endorsement of the MMR vaccine is a positive step, his promotion of unproven and potentially harmful treatments continues to raise concerns and may jeopardize the health of vulnerable children affected by the outbreak.
