Secretary of Health and Public Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Stopped in Texas on Sunday to visit the family of a 6-year-old girl who died of measles virus in February.
Kennedy confirmed his visit to Texas in an article on X, where he encouraged people to get a vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) in measles cases.
“I came to Gaines County, Texas today and comforted the Hildebrand family after losing my 8-year-old daughter Daisy,” Kennedy wrote in the Post. “I met the family of 6-year-old Kayley Fehr after I passed away in February. During that difficult period, I also developed a bond with other members of this community and a deep affection for the rest of this community.”
Kennedy said his intention was to visit Gaines County quietly, comfort the family and be with the community while they were sad.
Officials said the second child with measles died in Texas.
But he also said he was there to support Texas health officials and understand how the HHS agency is a better partner to control the officer Measles outbreak.
As of Sunday, 642 cases of measles have been confirmed in 22 states, with 499 in Texas.
Kennedy deployed a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March to help strengthen local and state responses to the outbreak, while also providing MMR vaccines and other supplies to pharmacies and state-run clinics.
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Little RFK stopped in Texas on Sunday to visit the family of a 6-year-old girl who died of measles. (Getty)
Kennedy also works with local schools and healthcare institutions to support contact investigations and engage with the community to answer questions about healthcare.
“The most effective way to prevent measles transmission is the MMR vaccine,” Kennedy wrote in a social media post. “I have spoken with Gov. Abbott and I have provided ongoing support from HHS. At his request, we have redeployed the CDC team to Texas. We will continue to follow Texas leadership and provide similar resources to other affected jurisdictions.”
Parents of girls who died after measles infection say they won’t receive MMR vaccine
A medical staff prepares vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella. (iStock)
According to NBC News, severe paralysis in Texas, including six babies and toddlers, has tested positive in the past two weeks, according to NBC News.
Two of these children are one of 56 people hospitalized with measles in the region since they began spreading in January.
According to the CDC, about 1,000 out of every 1,000 children infected with measles die from respiratory and neurological complications.
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Almost one in every 20 children with measles Suffering from pneumoniaThis is the most common cause of death for measles in young children.
The measles outbreak began in Texas in late January, but has since spread to some other states.
Landon Mion of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.
