A second youngster with measles has died in Texas, an area hospital spokesperson confirmed on Sunday (Apr 6), as lots of of instances of the infectious illness have been recorded in current weeks.
The developments have prompted US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr to go to the state, media shops reported on Sunday.
“We’re deeply saddened to report {that a} school-aged youngster who was just lately identified with measles has handed away. The kid was receiving remedy for issues of measles whereas hospitalized,” Aaron Davis, a spokesperson for UMC Well being System in Lubbock, Texas, mentioned in an e mail.
“You will need to be aware that the kid was not vaccinated towards measles and had no recognized underlying well being situations. This unlucky occasion underscores the significance of vaccination,” the hospital spokesperson mentioned. He didn’t give additional particulars.
The New York Instances reported that the most recent sufferer was an 8-year-old lady, who died of “measles pulmonary failure,” making her the second confirmed US measles loss of life previously decade.
The US Division of Well being and Human Companies didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon the loss of life or Kennedy’s deliberate journey.
Kennedy’s journey was organized after he was knowledgeable of the loss of life, in line with Axios, which first reported the information. NBC Information mentioned Kennedy deliberate to attend the kid’s funeral scheduled for Sunday.
Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, mentioned in his fast response to the primary measles loss of life in February that such outbreaks are commonplace.
