A second child has tragically died from measles in Texas, as confirmed by a spokesperson from a local hospital on Sunday, April 6. This devastating news comes amidst a significant uptick in measles cases across the United States, with hundreds of infections reported in recent weeks.

The situation has garnered national attention and prompted a visit from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as media outlets reported on Sunday. Kennedy's planned trip is a response to the alarming rise in measles cases and the recent fatalities linked to the disease.

According to Aaron Davis, a spokesperson for the UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas, the recent victim was a school-aged child who had been diagnosed with measles. "We are deeply saddened to report that a school-aged child who was recently diagnosed with measles has passed away. The child was receiving treatment for complications of measles while hospitalized," Davis stated in an official email.

It is particularly tragic that this child, an 8-year-old girl, had not been vaccinated against measles and reportedly had no known underlying health conditions that could have complicated her condition. The spokesperson emphasized, "This unfortunate event underscores the importance of vaccination," highlighting the critical role immunizations play in preventing such outbreaks. However, further details regarding the child's case were not disclosed.

The New York Times has reported that the young girl succumbed to what is described as "measles pulmonary failure," marking her as the second confirmed death from measles in the United States over the past decade. This statistic reflects a concerning trend, as health officials have warned about the resurgence of preventable diseases due to declining vaccination rates.

In response to the child's death, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has yet to provide an official comment regarding the incident or the implications of Kennedy's impending visit. Reports indicate that Kennedy's trip was organized shortly after he was made aware of the tragic loss of life, and he intends to attend the child's funeral, which has been scheduled for Sunday.

Interestingly, this visit comes at a time when Kennedy, known for his longstanding skepticism towards vaccines, has made headlines following the first measles death reported earlier this year in February. In his response to that outbreak, he remarked that such cases of measles were commonplace, a statement that has sparked various discussions about public health and vaccination policies.