Short Takes – 3-3-25 – Texas Measles Outbreak Edition

San Antonio-area charter school now says they have a case of rubella, not measles. TPR.org article. Pull quote: “The statement was provided by the charter school's management company, Vertex Education. However, a letter that appears to have been sent to parents used the terms measles and rubella interchangeably. Rubella is sometimes called German measles, but it is not the same illness.”

Measles outbreak continues to spike with nearly 150 reported cases. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: ““It’s very possible that this person could have come in contact with, if not hundreds, thousands of our community residents, as well as visitors,” said Anita Kurian, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District deputy director of communicable disease, per NBC News. “We are a destination city. We have real great concern of potential large community wide exposures at these public sites.””

RFK Jr says Texas measles outbreak a ‘call to action’. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “Kennedy, in the op-ed [see below], said healthcare providers, community leaders, and policymakers “have a shared responsibility to protect public health,” adding, “This includes ensuring that accurate information about vaccine safety and efficacy is disseminated.””

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR.: Measles outbreak is call to action for all of us. FoxNews.com commentary. Pull quote: “In response to this outbreak, I have directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to work closely with the Texas health authorities to provide comprehensive support. HHS’ efforts include offering technical assistance, laboratory support, vaccines, and therapeutic medications as needed. The CDC is in continuous communication with Texas health officials, ensuring a coordinated and effective response to contain the outbreak. I have spoken with Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas health officials, committing to providing them any additional support they need to bring this outbreak to an end. I have also spoken to the bereaved parents of the deceased child to offer consolation.”

Texas official warns against “measles parties” as outbreak keeps growing. ArsTechnica.com article. Pull quote: “It's unclear if any measles parties are occurring in Gaines or elsewhere; "It's mostly been... social media talk," Cook said in response to a follow-up question from Ars. He noted that measles parties and chickenpox parties were more common practices decades ago, before vaccines for both diseases were available. But he again warned about the dangers today. "Please don't do that. It's just foolishness; it's playing roulette," he said.”