By Matthew Reichbach
As the measles outbreak in Texas continues to grow, and with one reported death, New Mexico’s congressional delegation wants federal health authorities to commit to addressing the outbreak.
This comes with anti-vaccination conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. leading the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Over 130 cases of measles have been confirmed since late January in West Texas and New Mexico. Nine of the confirmed cases are in New Mexico, with the latest numbers updated by the New Mexico Department of Health on Tuesday.
The Texas Department of State Health Services on Wednesday announced the first death from the measles outbreak: an unvaccinated school-age minor who was hospitalized in Lubbock.
All five members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation, each of whom are Democrats, sent a letter to Kennedy asking him to “utilize HHS’ authorities for testing and monitoring and vaccine education and promotion, as well as rehire critical federal employees, to stop the spread of this dangerous infection.”
The lawmakers sent the letter to Kennedy on Monday.
The letter also noted that CDC employees “charged with training public health laboratory staffers and supporting outbreak response efforts were fired” last week.
During a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Kennedy downplayed the measles outbreaks, even after the first death from measles in the United States in a decade.
NM Political Report asked HHS officials on Wednesday what actions HHS are taking to deal with the outbreak, whether the department is promoting vaccinations for measles and whether the department was in contact with state health officials in New Mexico and Texas.
“CDC is aware of the death of one child in Texas from measles, and our thoughts are with the family,” HHS Director of Communications Andrew G. Nixon said in a statement. “CDC continues to provide technical assistance, laboratory support, and vaccines as needed to the Texas Department of State Health Services and New Mexico Department of Health, which are leading the response to this outbreak.”
Could people who continue to say that RFK is anti vax learn what the truth is? They are simply perpetuating rumors to stir up hatred for an individual (an expert) with whom they disagree. He is NOT anti vax!
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It is nice to see that there are still people out here who now how to use reason! This is exactly the same thing I’ve been saying Susan!
Oh sure now the want federal help. Ten million illegals later. Most unvaccinated. Hypocrisy at it’s best ..
Well if he isn’t anti vaccines, then his history, before covid even tells a different story! He blamed vaccines for autism and that was debunked. He also had a non-profit anti vaccine group called children health defense.
He also said in a pod cast in 2023 that there’s no vaccine that’s safe and affective. There’s a bunch of other thing involving his group, but you can Google it if you want to learn. Then of course his bear in central park story! He’s not someone I trust about anything!
Does this infection can spread to seniors?
Please write about how the majority of these outbreaks are in unvaccinated children. Are they us children with religious exemption or migrants. B
Dig deeper
Consider that an outbreak of measles is an OUTBREAK, and should be of huge concern to *whoever the hell (D or R) is in charge of HHS. Swift actions (proactive early intervention) speak louder than passive words of “normalcy.” Let your Representatives know that the guy (RFK), who happens to have the power to act…is normalizing the OUTBREAK and not acting.