As a significant measles outbreak continues to unfold in West Texas, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has drawn attention for his endorsement of unconventional treatments. In a recent prerecorded interview aired on Fox News, Kennedy expressed support for various therapies, including cod liver oil, while notably refraining from urging the public to pursue vaccinations against measles.
In response to the escalating situation, the federal government is reportedly shipping doses of vitamin A to Gaines County, identified as the epicenter of the outbreak. Additionally, they are coordinating ambulance services to assist affected individuals. Although previous statements from HHS officials indicated that doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine were being sent to Texas, Kennedy did not address the importance of vaccination during the interview.
Kennedy claimed that Texas doctors have observed “very, very good results” from treating measles cases with a steroid called budesonide, an antibiotic known as clarithromycin, and cod liver oil, which he noted is rich in vitamins A and D. While some physicians do administer vitamin A for severe measles cases, Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, pointed out that cod liver oil is not an evidence-based treatment for measles. He added that he has never encountered a physician recommending the supplement as a measles treatment.
In comments that appeared to challenge conventional public health measures, Kennedy stated, “We’re going to be honest with the American people for the first time in history about what actually — about all of the tests and all of the studies, about what we know, what we don’t know.” He acknowledged that this approach might provoke anger among those who favor an ideological stance on public health.
In a related development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced its intention to send some of its “disease detectives” to Texas to strengthen efforts against the virus. According to data released by state health officials, the outbreak shows no signs of abating. Since late January, nearly 160 people have contracted measles, with 22 individuals requiring hospitalization.
The expanding outbreak has sparked criticism towards federal officials for downplaying the necessity for immunizations with the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, which is critical for controlling outbreaks. The true extent of the outbreak remains uncertain, with Katherine Wells, the director of public health in Lubbock, Texas, suggesting that the official case count may be an undercount. The outbreak largely affects a community of Mennonites in Gaines County, known for historically lower vaccination rates and limited interaction with the healthcare system.
Wells expressed concern that many families within this community have not sought medical attention for measles, contributing to the underreported figures. She estimated that the number of cases could be “in the hundreds,” citing instances of school closures due to sick children. Last year, approximately 82% of the county’s kindergarten population received the measles vaccine, but experts assert that a vaccination rate of at least 95% is necessary to prevent outbreaks.
Nationally, the decline in vaccination rates has fostered vulnerable populations of unvaccinated children, increasing the likelihood of outbreaks. In the 2023-24 school year, only 93% of kindergarten students received the MMR vaccine, a drop from 95% prior to the pandemic. Michael Mina, a vaccine expert and former professor of epidemiology, emphasized that the geographic spacing of communities has previously helped contain outbreaks, but this benefit is diminishing.
As of now, measles cases have been confirmed in nine counties in Texas, many of which have vaccination rates falling below federal recommendations. For instance, around 80% of kindergarten students in a public school district in nearby Terry County have received the measles vaccine, which reported 22 cases of measles as of Tuesday. A neighboring county in New Mexico has also documented nine cases.
While most measles cases resolve within a few weeks, the virus can lead to severe complications, such as pneumonia and brain swelling, which can result in blindness, deafness, and intellectual disabilities. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 5 individuals who contract measles will require hospitalization. Additionally, the virus can weaken the immune system long-term, increasing susceptibility to future infections. A study from 2015 indicated that, before the widespread availability of the MMR vaccine, measles accounted for up to half of all infectious disease deaths in children.
