3 sources·Health

Texas Measles Outbreak: Discrepancies in Claims of Flattening Curve Amid Rising Cases

Health officials contest RFK Jr.'s claim of flattening measles outbreak in Texas, as cases rise past 500 with two child deaths reported.

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  1. RFK Jr. claims curve is flattening in Texas measles outbreak. Does the data agree?

    However, data from the Texas Department of State Health Services showed that cases are increasing, with more counties in western Texas reporting infections.

    RFK Jr. claims curve is flattening in Texas measles outbreak. Does the data agree?

    ABC NewsABC News·10d
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  2. What will it take to get measles under control? : Consider This from

    A quarter of a century after measles was officially eliminated in the US, the disease is once again spreading in West Texas, New Mexico and there are cases in several other states.

    What will it take to get measles under control? : Consider This from

    NPRNPR·10d
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  3. 'In this for the long haul': Texas surpasses 500 measles cases since January

    The continued climb of measles cases in Texas follows the second death of a school-aged child from the virus in Texas, reported on April 3.

    'In this for the long haul': Texas surpasses 500 measles cases since January

    USA TODAYUSA TODAY·10d
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  1. ABC News
  2. NPR
  3. USA TODAY
Updated: Apr 8th, 2025, 10:51 PM ET

Summary

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Texas is experiencing a significant measles outbreak, with 505 confirmed cases linked to unvaccinated individuals and at least two child fatalities. Health Secretary RFK Jr. claimed that the outbreak's growth is slowing, but health officials cite increasing case numbers as evidence to the contrary. Experts warn that vaccination remains crucial to control the spread, as regions with low vaccine uptake continue to see significant transmission risk. The situation is complicated further with concerns over the potential misrepresentation of medical treatments and inadequate vaccination among children.

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  • Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claims the measles outbreak in Texas is flattening, suggesting an improvement in the situation, but public health data contradicts this assertion showing increasing cases.

  • Public health officials express concern over the rising number of measles cases and stress the importance of vaccination to prevent widespread transmission, particularly in under-vaccinated communities.

  • Debate continues over the effectiveness of proposed treatments for measles, such as budesonide and clarithromycin, with many experts arguing these are not supported by scientific evidence and emphasizing the role of vaccination as the primary prevention strategy.

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