As measles — a preventable disease the U.S. considered eliminated in 2000 — spreads through West Texas’ rural expanse, Klassen is sticking to an approach on vaccines that is a key tenet for Mennonites. Family leaders are the top decision-making authority — not outside recommendations, certainly not government mandates.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is on the ground in Texas to respond to the growing measles outbreak. The agency posted on X that it’s partnering with the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Measles has sickened nearly 150 mostly unvaccinated people in rural West Texas, and a school-age child has died. The virus is spreading among Gaines County’s Mennonite community, where government mandates are not trusted.

As cases of measles keep rising in Texas, some doctors call Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s response a "wink and nod" to anti-vaccine groups.

The Trump administration is stepping in to help Texas respond to the deadly and highly contagious respiratory virus.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he’s spoken directly with Gov. Greg Abbott about the measles outbreak in Texas, but neither are telling Texas families to get the vaccine that can stop the spread of the highly contagious respiratory illness.

WASHINGTON — Amid a growing outbreak of measles in Texas, recently confirmed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is urging parents to vaccinate their children against the disease.

Texas’ health commissioner told lawmakers Monday they are still trying to determine the origin of a South Plains-Panhandle measles outbreak more than a month after the first patients reported symptoms.

With growing cases of measles in Texas and Lubbock reporting the states first death, local health officials hosted a news conference offering updates.