A measles outbreak in West Texas has led the H.H.S. secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to promote unconventional treatments like cod liver oil. In a prerecorded interview with Fox News, Mr. Kennedy claimed that these remedies, including a steroid and an antibiotic, were helping patients recover from the virus.
However, experts say that there is no scientific evidence to support the use of cod liver oil as a treatment for measles. Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, stated that he had never heard of a physician using the supplement against measles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it would send “disease detectives” to Texas to help combat the outbreak. The official case number in the Texas outbreak is likely an undercount, according to state health officials, who believe many cases may be unreported due to low vaccination rates in certain communities.
Measles outbreaks can spread quickly when vaccination rates are low, and experts warn that declining vaccination rates in the US have left growing pockets of vulnerable children. In fact, only 93% of kindergarten students nationwide had received the measles vaccine for the 2023-24 school year, down from 95% before the pandemic.
The measles virus can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and intellectual disabilities, especially in young children. Experts emphasize the importance of vaccination as a key tool in preventing outbreaks.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/health/texas-measles-outbreak-kennedy.html