One Measles Death Is Too Many

On April 5, 2025, a second child died of measles in Texas. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, both children were otherwise healthy.

If you have never lost a child, then you cannot know - and I wish you will NEVER come to know - the horror this latest family is enduring. The loss of a child is so unspeakable that it does not even have a word to describe it in any language. Perhaps one day, I will recount my experience in this newsletter.

As of April 8, here are the latest statistics on the growing measles outbreak in Texas:

At this time, 505 cases have been identified since late January. Fifty-seven of the patients have been hospitalized. Individuals are considered infectious four days prior to and four days after rash onset.

There have been two fatalities in school-aged children who lived in the outbreak area. The children were not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.

Of the 505 cases, only 10 have occurred in vaccinated individuals. And none of those individuals have died as a result.

The loss of a child is such an unspeakable tragedy. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. When that loss is due to an entirely preventable viral illness such as measles, the unspeakable nature is only compounded. Had these kids been vaccinated, especially since they were otherwise healthy, more than likely they would have survived.

My heart goes out to the families grieving the loss of their children, in Texas and everywhere in the Universe. It is a club into which I will never welcome anyone.

Measles is no joke. It can kill otherwise healthy children. Please, if your child is not vaccinated, please vaccinate them right away. It can be, literally, a matter of life and death.