The measles outbreak that originated in the South Plains region of Texas continues to spread and has led to the death of an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico. This marks the second individual to die from measles this year, following an unvaccinated pediatric patient in Texas. As the spread continues, health care experts and agency leaders raise concerns over the impact of misinformation and vaccine hesitancy in driving the outbreak, as well as the response of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leadership.1
Hand holding a banner reading "measles outbreak" | Image Credit: © AndriiKoval - stock.adobe.com
As of March 7, 2025, the CDC reported 222 confirmed cases of measles across 10 states, with the majority from the state of Texas (n = 198). Most affected patients are between the ages of 5 and 19 years (45%), followed by children under the age of 5 (34%), as well as those over 20 years of age (18%). According to the agency, 17% of measles cases have resulted in hospitalizations, primarily in patients under 5 years of age (28%).2,3
“On average, 1 infected person may infect about 15 other people,” Scott Weaver, a center of excellence director for the Global Virus Network, an international coalition, told CBS8. “There’s only a few viruses that even come close to that.”4
The outbreak comes in response to poorer vaccination rates in the South Plains region of Texas, leading health officials to stress the importance of vaccination with the MMR vaccine. However, vaccine hesitancy and exemption remain a significant risk to public health efforts. Health experts have raised concerns over the HHS and RFK’s response to the outbreak as they focus on highlighting the use of vitamin A and cod liver oil as treatments for measles. In an official press release, RFK states5,6:
“Tens of thousands died with, or of, measles annually in 19th-century America. By 1960—before the vaccine’s introduction—improvements in sanitation and nutrition had eliminated 98% of measles deaths. Good nutrition remains the best defense against most chronic and infectious illnesses. Vitamins A, C, and D, and foods rich in vitamins B12, C, and E, should be part of a balanced diet.”6
A balanced diet is crucial for overall wellness and battling illness, but this statement may be misleading, implying that nutrition alone is sufficient for protecting against measles. RFK cites a specific study in reference to use of vitamin A that was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. The authors reported that at least 2 doses of vitamin A could reduce measles mortality by 62% (95% CI 19–82) but do not suggest its use as a primary preventative measure. They recommend getting vaccinated against measles and utilizing vitamin A in supportive care to prevent measles mortality and severe infection, which is also supported by the CDC.7,8
Health care professionals are worried that—even though false information about some of these therapies is circulating online—the government's messaging regarding the outbreak is emphasizing treatments like vitamin A more than vaccination.1
"Mentions of cod liver oil and vitamins [are] just distracting people away from what the single message should be, which is to increase the vaccination rate," said Amesh Adalja, MD, an infectious disease physician and senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, in an article by NPR.1
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne viral infection that is preventable with the measles vaccine, which is 93% effective with 1 dose and 97% with 2 doses. Due to widespread vaccination campaigns, measles was declared nearly eradicated in the United States in 2000; however, declining vaccination rates and rising vaccine hesitancy have led to a resurgence of outbreaks, with major surges in the 2010s.5
The 2019 outbreak was the largest since 1992, infecting 1,249 people across 17 states, with 89% of cases occurring in unvaccinated individuals. The trend continued in 2024, when measles cases spiked again, leading to 285 reported infections, 40% of which required hospitalization. In 2025, the outbreak in Texas and surrounding states is already surpassing the number of cases reported in 2024, raising concerns about further spread.5
Public health officials are ramping up efforts to curb the outbreak, including mobile vaccine drives and targeted awareness campaigns; however, misinformation surrounding alternative treatments and the downplaying of vaccines remain significant challenges. As measles continues to spread, experts stress that vaccination remains the best defense against severe illness and death, urging individuals—especially parents of young children—to ensure they are up to date with their MMR immunizations.5
REFERENCES
1. Amid a growing measles outbreak, doctors worry RFK is sending the wrong message. NPR. March 7, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.npr.org/2025/03/07/nx-s1-5320352/measles-rfk-west-texas-outbreak
2. Measles cases and outbreaks. CDC. March 7, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html
3. Measles Outbreak – March 7, 2025. Texas Health and Human Services. March 7, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025
4. Do you need an MMR booster? Here's who should be revaccinated. CBS8. March 6, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/nation-world/measles-outbreak-mmr-booster-revaccinated/507-f146eb19-76c9-4bbc-bc02-2df4d0828493
5. Measles outbreak in west Texas marks largest surge in 30 years. Pharmacy Times. February 27, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/measles-outbreak-in-west-texas-marks-largest-surge-in-30-years
6. Kennedy R F. Jr. Measles outbreak is call to action for all of us. Department of Health and Human Services. March 3, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2025/03/03/measles-outbreak-call-to-action-for-all-of-us.html#:~:text=Measles%20is%20a%20highly%20contagious,breathes%2C%20coughs%2C%20or%20sneezes
7. Sudfeld C, Navar A, Halsey N. Effectiveness of measles vaccination and vitamin A treatment. International Journal of Epidemiology. March 23, 2010. Doi:10.1093/ije/dyq021
8. CDC statement on measles outbreak. CDC. February 27, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2025/2025-cdc-statement-on-measles-outbreak.html