Measles Outbreak Claims First US Death in Decade

A measles outbreak has hit a small town in West Texas, claiming the life of an unnamed child. The disease’s first victim in the United States in a decade, the child died after being hospitalized with 19 others from the area.

Meet Peter, a Mennonite who lives in Seminole. He welcomed a journalist to his home to discuss the outbreak. Despite the attention surrounding the town, Peter expressed frustration that the media was unfairly focusing on his community.

The outbreak has not only affected Seminole but also impacted families abroad. Peter shared that he has relatives in Canada and Mexico who have recently contracted measles.

The child who passed away may have been part of Peter’s congregation, a concern that has weighed heavily on the community. As the town navigates this difficult time, it is clear that the outbreak has left a lasting impact on its residents.

Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/03/texas-measles-outbreak-death-family/681985