CDC redeploys to Texas measles outbreak after layoffs, as RFK Jr. calls vaccine “most effective way” to stop spread
The recent outbreak of measles in Texas has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to redeploy staff to respond to the crisis. This comes after a round of layoffs at the agency impacted its ability to effectively combat the spread of the virus.
According to CDC spokesperson Jason McDonald, a team of three staff members has been deployed to Texas to assess the immediate needs for responding to the outbreak. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that more CDC staff would be sent to Texas in response to the governor’s request, following the death of an unvaccinated child in the measles outbreak.
The ongoing outbreak in Texas and neighboring states has contributed to the highest levels of measles cases in the U.S. since 2019. The CDC has reported six measles outbreaks this year, with the majority of cases occurring in Texas and neighboring states. Smaller outbreaks have also been reported in New Jersey, Georgia, Ohio, and Kansas.
Kennedy emphasized the importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing the spread of measles during his visit to Texas. However, his statements about the vaccine have been met with scrutiny from health experts, particularly after he made false claims about the vaccine’s risks in a Fox News interview.
Kennedy’s promotion of alternative treatments for measles, such as aerosolized budesonide and clarithromycin, has been contradicted by medical experts. While these treatments may help manage symptoms of respiratory illnesses, there is no evidence to support their use as routine treatments for measles.
Dr. Brett Giroir, a former assistant secretary of health, emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing measles-related deaths. He stressed that there is no substitute for vaccination and urged against relying on unproven alternative therapies.
The CDC’s response to the measles outbreak in Texas highlights the critical need for continued vaccination efforts to prevent the spread of preventable diseases. Public health officials are working diligently to contain the outbreak and protect the health and safety of communities across the country.
