## Measles cases climb in Texas as outbreaks appear across the northeast | Fox News

Amid the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas, Fox News' senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel sat down with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in an exclusive interview to discuss contagion concerns.

"The new Health and Human Services secretary told me he is recommending vaccines for the purpose of community immunity," Siegel told Fox News’ Sandra Smith on "America Reports" following the Tuesday interview.

"The CDC is seeing 'very good' results with measles treatments in Texas."

At the same time, RFK Jr. continues to believe in personal choice, Siegel added.

During the interview, RFK Jr. noted that most of the people impacted in Texas are part of the Mennonite community, including an unvaccinated girl who tragically died.

Cases of measles continue to spread following the initial outbreak in Texas.

As of Tuesday, March 4, the Texas Department of State Health Services has reported 159 cases since late January.

Twenty-two patients have been hospitalized in Texas since the outbreak began in the state’s South Plains region.

The agency warned that due to the highly contagious nature of measles, additional cases are "likely to occur" in surrounding communities.

Cases have been detected in Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island and Texas.

Pennsylvania has also reported its first case in Montgomery County, according to local news sources.

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Fox Weather reported on Monday that this Pennsylvania case led to a traveler warning at New York City’s JFK Airport.

Officials cautioned that individuals who traveled within and from Terminal 4 of the airport on Feb. 25 may have been exposed, and some may have already been contacted about potential infection.

Most of the U.S. cases have occurred among unvaccinated, school-aged children, according to the CDC.



The best way to prevent infection is to be immunized with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to experts.

There have been nearly 200 reported cases since the beginning of the year. In 2024, there were 285 cases for the entire year, per the CDC.

Forty percent of those infected last year were hospitalized for isolation or management of complications.

Texas health officials emphasized that the best way to prevent infection is to be immunized with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person has departed, doctors caution.

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