Measles Outbreak Sparks Controversy: RFK Jr. Praises Doctor Treating Patients While Infected
As of April 18, the United states has recorded 800 measles cases, with two new infections recently identified. This resurgence of the highly contagious disease has ignited public health concerns, especially after revelations involving a Texas physician and a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement.
The Texas Connection: Doctor Treats Patients While Infected
dr. Ben Edwards, a physician in Texas, continued treating pediatric patients even after contracting measles himself. This revelation has drawn sharp criticism from medical experts and public health officials. adding fuel to the fire, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known vaccine skeptic, lauded Edwards as an extraordinary healer.
Did You Know?
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S.in 2000, thanks to widespread vaccination efforts. However, outbreaks can still occur when vaccination rates decline.
Children’s Health Defense and the Viral Video
On March 31, Children’s Health Defense, an association chaired by Robert Kennedy Jr., posted a video on its official website featuring Dr.Edwards. In the video,Edwards,wearing hospital attire at his temporary clinic in Seminole,Texas,confirmed that he was infected with measles.He stated he was diagnosed the day before the recording. I was itchy yesterday, I had a little fever, and I started to have rashes in the afternoon. Today I felt much better after I woke up.
The video showed Edwards with a faint rash on his face, not wearing a mask while interacting with children and parents.
🚨 Doctor Covered in Measles While Treating Hundreds of Kids with Measles
The media says the ONLY way to prevent measles is the MMR vaccine… but @Dr_BenEdwardsMD got the shot — and still caught measles while caring for sick children in Seminole, TX. And he’s not alone – the… pic.twitter.com/6NaYXDiIRX
— Children’s health defense (@ChildrensHD) April 1, 2025
The organization claimed that Edwards, despite being vaccinated against measles, still contracted the disease, suggesting that he was not an isolated case.
CDC Guidelines and State Regulations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies the period from four days before to four days after the appearance of a rash as the most contagious phase of measles. The CDC recommends that medical staff infected with measles be promptly isolated and suspended from medical duties, although this is not a federal mandate. State laws dictate whether doctors with measles can continue practicing.
Vaccination: Reducing Risk, Not Eliminating It
Public health departments worldwide emphasize that measles vaccination substantially reduces the risk of infection but does not guarantee complete immunity.
Expert Concerns and Community Risk
American medical and public health experts have voiced strong concerns about Dr. Edwards’ decision to continue seeing patients while knowingly infected with measles. They argue that this behavior puts children,parents,and the broader community at risk of contracting the disease. the consensus among experts is that Edwards’ actions were irresponsible.
RFK Jr.’s Visit and Endorsement
Approximately a week after Dr. Edwards contracted measles, Robert Kennedy Jr. visited Seminole on April 6 and met with him. Kennedy posted on the social media platform X, referring to Edwards and another doctor as two extraordinary therapists.
Children’s Health Defense filmed and uploaded a video of the meeting. It remains unclear whether Kennedy was aware of Edwards’ measles infection at the time of their meeting.
Pro Tip
Check your vaccination records and consult with your healthcare provider to ensure you are up-to-date on all recommended vaccines, including the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.
RFK Jr.’s stance on Vaccines
Robert Kennedy Jr. is a prominent vaccine skeptic. Despite the rise in measles cases in the U.S. since the previous winter, he has not encouraged vaccination, stating that whether to get vaccinated or not is a personal choice.
Expert Reaction: Unsurprising and Concerning
Craig Spencer, a professor at Brown University’s School of Public Health, expressed little surprise at Kennedy’s reaction.Sadly, I think it’s exactly in line with his view on medical practice. It made me feel very uncomfortable, extremely worried and scared for the next three and a half years.
RFK Jr.’s Response
A spokesman for Robert Kennedy Jr.stated that he is not anti-vaccine
and is committed to improving the health of American children and redeploying resources in Texas to assist in controlling local infection conditions.
However, the spokesman did not explain why Kennedy chose to visit Dr. Edwards specifically.
Dr. Edwards’ Defense
In an email to the Associated Press, Dr.Edwards claimed that during his infectious period, he had not been exposed to any patients who had not been infected with measles.
He added, So obviously, no patients were at risk of measles because they had already had measles.
Measles Fatalities
To date, three peopel in the United States have died from measles infection. One recent death involved a Texas child who had not been vaccinated.
