C.D.C. Sends 'Disease Detectives' to Texas for Measles Outbreak
Source: New York Times
C.D.C. Sends ‘Disease Detectives’ to Texas for Measles Outbreak
The Trump administration is stepping in to help Texas respond to the deadly and highly contagious respiratory virus.
A digital billboard with a message about measles from the South Plains Public Health District in Seminole, Texas. Desiree Rios for The New York Times
By Sheryl Gay Stolberg
March 4, 2025
Updated 2:31 p.m. ET
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has sent some of its “disease detectives” to West Texas to help with the measles outbreak there — a sign that the Trump administration is getting more deeply involved in the response.
The agency made the announcement on its X account, in a statement that included a quote from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary who has drawn criticism for his muted response to the outbreak. Last week a child died, the first measles death in the United States in a decade.
The C.D.C. has no authority to go into Texas or any other state on its own; when an outbreak occurs, the agency must be invited in by state health officials. The partnership, known as an Epi-Aid, is a rapid-response effort in which the Epidemic Intelligence Service Officers — the “disease detectives” — will provide local officials support for one to three weeks.
“The measles outbreak in Texas is a call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health,” Mr. Kennedy said in the statement. “By working together — parents, health care providers, community leaders and government officials, we can prevent future outbreaks and protect the health of our nation.”
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A correction was made on March 4, 2025: An earlier version of this article misstated the benefits of using vitamin A to treat children with measles. Vitamin A has been shown to help treat measles in malnourished children, but does not prevent them becoming infected with it.
When we learn of a mistake, we acknowledge it with a correction. If you spot an error, please let us know at nytnews@nytimes.com.Learn more
Sheryl Gay Stolberg covers health policy for The Times from Washington. A former congressional and White House correspondent, she focuses on the intersection of health policy and politics. More about Sheryl Gay Stolberg
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/us/politics/cdc-measles-outbreak.html
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Nah, I blame Canada 
Can't wait to see Abbott grovel on Hannity tonight. 
