In the past 10 years, the state of Texas in the US has witnessed its second child death caused by measles. State officials are warning that the outbreak could last for another year.

The measles crisis in Texas continues to escalate. It has been announced that the second child death caused by measles in the last decade in the US has been confirmed. Concern is mounting that if the outbreak continues at its current pace, the country may lose its status as a “measles-eliminated country” achieved in 2000. According to The New York Times, measles led to the death of another child in West Texas. It has been reported that dozens of people in states bordering Texas are also infected. Documents obtained by the newspaper reveal that an 8-year-old girl passed away on Thursday morning in a hospital in Lubbock due to “measles-induced lung failure.” The first death from measles was recorded in West Texas in February when an unvaccinated child lost their life. Another individual in New Mexico also tested positive for measles before passing away, but officials did not confirm measles as the cause of death. A spokesperson from President Donald Trump’s administration mentioned last night that the child’s death is still under investigation. Since the measles outbreak began in January, 480 cases have been recorded in West Texas, with 56 of those individuals requiring hospitalization. Measles has also spread to neighboring states, with 54 cases in New Mexico and 10 in Oklahoma. Health officials in West Texas predict that the outbreak in the state will last for another year. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccination views, faces criticism for his handling of the outbreak. Kennedy is being criticized for silently supporting vaccinations and emphasizing untested treatment methods. According to Texas physicians, the secretary’s support for alternative treatments is delaying critical care for patients and leading them to consume toxic levels of Vitamin A. Experts are also concerned that the recent elimination of international public health safeguards by the Trump administration and the withdrawal of financial support for local health centers may increase the likelihood of a large-scale outbreak affecting multiple states.