Lloyd Doggett demands answers from CDC: 'What are you doing about Texas measles outbreak?'

Yahoo

20-03-2025

U.S. House representatives from Texas are asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a detailed report on how it is handling the measles outbreak in Texas.
As of Tuesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services has counted 286 cases of the highly contagious disease this year. Most of those cases, 279, are in West Texas, centered around Gaines County. Only one case has been in Travis County.
One child from Texas has died in the outbreak, and 36 people have been hospitalized. Only two of the people who have contracted the disease in West Texas have been vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. That vaccine is typically given at age 1 and a second dose between ages 4 and 6.
U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett; D-Austin, Marc Veasey, D-Dallas-Fort Worth, and Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, wrote to CDC acting Director Dr. Susan Monarez: "The current outbreak has primarily affected school-aged children, highlighting the urgent need to support the state of Texas' efforts to contain its spread and prevent further loss of life. We are troubled that anti-vaccine misinformation, cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workforce, and reductions of public health funding will threaten the country's ability to respond to the current measles outbreak, and future public health threats."
They cite 750 people who have lost their jobs at the CDC because of federal firings under the Department of Government Efficiency. It also notes recent interviews with U.S. Health and Human Services Director Robert Kennedy Jr. in which he touted the use of Vitamin A to fight measles. Vitamin A should only be given to people who are deficient and can cause serious health problems if someone is given too much. It does not prevent measles but can help people who have symptoms in some cases, according to Dr. Ron Cook, a Texas Tech professor and primary care doctor in Lubbock.
The letter states: "As local pharmacies report shortages of MMR vaccine doses, the Administration has shipped doses of Vitamin A to Texas, endorsing its use in addition to cod liver oil to reduce the outbreak, neither of which are scientifically proven to reduce the spread of the disease."
Measles is highly contagious, infecting 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to a contagious person. It lives on surfaces up to two hours.
The letter also expresses concern about federal funding of the CDC.
"With more than 70 percent of the CDC's budget directly supporting state and local health efforts, including disease prevention efforts, any disruptions will have catastrophic consequences for outbreak response and prevention."
The U.S. representatives are asking Monarez to answer these questions and wants a response by Tuesday.
What specific actions has the CDC taken in coordination with the Texas DSHS to mitigate the measles outbreak in Texas?
How have recent reductions in the number of CDC personnel impacted the agency's capacity to respond effectively to the ongoing disease outbreak?
Have DOGE's efforts, particularly the disruption of federal resources, interfered with funding flows to Texas state and local health departments in their fight against this outbreak?
How does the CDC plan to uphold its mission to remain science-based and data-driven, contrary to the dangerous and misleading comments made by Kennedy regarding measles and the safety of the MMR vaccine?
Has CDC leadership advocated against proposals to cut the agency's budget, and do you acknowledge that any reduction in funding would significantly weaken the nation's public health infrastructure, particularly in responding to infectious disease outbreaks?
The measles vaccine is known as the MMR vaccine: measles, mumps and rubella (the latter is also known as German measles). It is a live vaccine and should not be given to pregnant women or some people with autoimmune issues, including those who are undergoing treatment for cancer.
Most children are vaccinated with the first dose when they turn 1. A second dose is given between ages 4 and 6. A second dose can be given as soon as 28 days after the first dose.
A first dose of the vaccine can start giving someone some protection within 72 hours and can be used to fight a measles exposure. A first dose provides about 93% protection after two weeks. After the second dose, a person has 97% protection.
For people who have been exposed, they can receive immunoglobulin within six days of an exposure to fight the virus.
People born before 1957 are presumed to have immunity because of the amount of measles that was present during that time. People born after that time need to make sure they have been vaccinated with two doses. If you were born between 1957 and 1968, you might not have immunity because the vaccine at the time didn't use a live virus.
Vaccine protection does wane over time. You can get a blood test to check your immunity level to be sure. If you have been pregnant in the last 30 years, you have already had your titer check for rubella, which is in the MMR vaccine and would have been told if you did not have immunity.
For vaccinations, contact your primary care provider or you can go through Austin Public Health. You can get vaccinated as an adult if you have not been vaccinated previously.
Austin Public Health offers vaccinations for free or at reduced rates for children and adults who do not have insurance, have Medicaid or are underinsured. The typical cost is $13 for children and $25 for adults. You can make an appointment at 512-972-5520 for the clinics at 405 W. Stassney Lane in South Austin or 7500 Blessing Avenue in Northeast Austin.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: US Rep. Lloyd Doggett asks CDC about Texas measles outbreak response