Measles Is Once Again Endemic in the U.S.
RFK Jr. didn’t start the outbreak, but it’s his crisis now.
Measles has returned in the United States, the Pan American Health Organization declared the disease once again endemic during a recent meeting. This determination is based on continuous infections caused by the same strain of the virus for a year, with over 5,000 confirmed cases in 45 states this year. Pennsylvania reported its first measles deaths in August, totaling seven, while New York and Wisconsin each reported one death.
This marks the worst year for measles since 1991, which ended a three-year epidemic with 123 deaths. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current health secretary, has not been forthcoming about his role in the outbreak's spread. The country's declining vaccination rates, particularly for measles, and the disruption of routine pediatric care during the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the crisis.
Kennedy's CDC has provided assistance to states dealing with outbreaks, but his leadership has been criticized for lacking a clear strategy and support from the top. Some of the aid offered by the CDC has not been welcomed, as states have not always requested the resources needed. Kennedy has been less vocal about measles compared to previous health secretaries, often downplaying the seriousness of the disease.
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