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Texas Doctor with Measles Treated Kids, Praised by HHS Secretary Kennedy
Controversy erupts as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lauds a doctor seen treating patients while visibly infected with measles during a Texas outbreak.
A Texas physician who was actively treating children during a concerning measles outbreak in West Texas was seen in a video displaying a distinctive measles rash on his face. This occurred roughly a week before U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.publicly met the doctor and hailed him as an “extraordinary healer.” The incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism from public health experts, raising serious questions about Kennedy’s judgment and commitment to safeguarding public health.
Video Shows doctor’s Rash Before Kennedy Meeting
Dr. Ben Edwards was featured in a video posted on March 31 by Children’s Health Defense, an organization kennedy previously led. The video depicts Edwards in scrubs, interacting with parents and children at a makeshift clinic established in Seminole, Texas, the epicenter of a measles outbreak. The outbreak has reportedly sickened hundreds and tragically resulted in three deaths, including two children.
In the video,Edwards confirms he has measles,stating that his infection began the day before the recording. “Yesterday was pretty achy. Little mild fever. Spots came in the afternoon. today, I woke up feeling good,” Edwards said.
Public Health experts Condemn Doctor’s Actions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is among the world’s most contagious diseases. The CDC notes that individuals are most contagious from about four days before the rash appears to about four days afterward. Medical professionals and public health officials have strongly criticized Edwards’ decision to treat patients while infected, arguing that it needlessly endangered children, their parents, and the broader community.
“there was no scenario in which Edwards’ conduct would be reasonable,” stated a joint statement released by several leading pediatricians in Texas.
Kennedy’s Praise draws Scrutiny
Secretary Kennedy met with Edwards approximately one week after Children’s Health Defense posted the video. On April 6, Kennedy posted on X (formerly Twitter), “visited with thes two extraordinary healers,” referring to Edwards and another doctor. He further commended their utilization of what he described as two unproven treatments for measles.
Kennedy’s continued association with figures promoting alternative or unproven medical treatments, especially amidst a growing measles outbreak, has fueled criticism and raised concerns about his leadership at HHS. as of April 2025, the U.S. has seen a sharp rise in measles cases compared to previous years,with several outbreaks linked to communities with low vaccination rates,according to the CDC.
| Year | Reported Measles Cases in U.S. |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 121 |
| 2023 | 58 |
| 2024 | 128 |
| Jan–Apr 2025 | 203 |
Despite the resurgence of measles across the nation, Kennedy has declined to consistently and forcefully advocate for measles vaccination,or to reassure the public that the vaccine is safe and effective. Dr. Craig Spencer, a professor at the Brown University School of Public Health, commented that Kennedy’s post highlighting Edwards was “inappropriate but unsurprising given Kennedy’s record.”
“I think is unfortunately perfectly on-brand for how he thinks that medicine should be practiced,” Spencer added. “And that is what makes me remarkably uncomfortable and extremely concerned and scared for the next three-and-a-half years.”
HHS Response and Further Concerns
It remains unclear whether Kennedy was aware of Edwards’ decision to treat patients while contagious before their meeting. A Kennedy spokesperson stated that the Secretary “is not anti-vaccine” and “is committed to improving children’s health in America and has re-deployed resources to Texas to help with the current outbreak.” Though, the spokesperson did not address the reason for Kennedy’s decision to meet with and praise Edwards specifically, rather than other medical professionals actively involved in managing the outbreak in West Texas.
Edwards, in an email, told the archyde News that he “interacted with zero patients that were not already infected with measles” during his infectious period. “Therefore, obviously, there were no patients that were put in danger of acquiring measles since they already had measles.”
Jessica Steier, a public health scientist, challenged this assertion, pointing out that the video shows Edwards in the presence of individuals who do not appear to be infected, including parents of sick children and representatives from Children’s Health Defense. Steier further questioned what measures Edwards took to accurately confirm measles diagnoses, as opposed to relying on visual assessment.
“You have the HHS secretary lifting him up,” she said. “You know, it’s so, so risky. I really feel for the people who are on the ground.”
Counterarguments and Rebuttals
Some argue that focusing on individual cases like Dr.Edwards distracts from the broader issue of addressing vaccine hesitancy and improving public health infrastructure.They contend that Kennedy’s actions, while controversial, should be viewed in the context of his overall efforts to address health disparities and improve access to care, even if his approaches differ from conventional medical practices.
However, critics counter that promoting individuals who disregard established public health guidelines, notably concerning highly contagious diseases, undermines the credibility of public health officials and reinforces anti-vaccine sentiment. They argue that Kennedy’s position as HHS Secretary demands a clear and consistent message supporting vaccination and evidence-based medical practices, and that his actions send a conflicting and perhaps dangerous message to the public.
FAQ: Measles and Vaccination
- What are the symptoms of measles?
- Measles typically begins with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash of tiny, red spots then develops, starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body.
- How is measles spread?
- Measles is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is indeed highly contagious, and the virus can live for up to two hours in the airspace where an infected person coughed or sneezed.
- Is there a treatment for measles?
- There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Care focuses on relieving symptoms,such as fever and cough. Preventing measles through vaccination is the most effective strategy.
- How effective is the MMR vaccine?
- The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is highly effective. Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.
- Is the MMR vaccine safe
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