As measles cases continue to rise in Texas, a local health official is warning about using vitamin A to treat measles in children without the supervision of a medical professional.
On Tuesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced that measles has grown to impact 19 counties in the South Plains and Panhandle regions, with 422 cases reported since the current outbreak’s start in January 2025.
Others are reading: RFK Jr. touts vitamin A for measles prevention. Doctors disagree.
Here is the current breakdown of cases by county and the increase seen since the previous update DSHS reported on March 28:
DSHS also states that 42 patients have been hospitalized through the outbreak, with local and state officials confirming only one death — a “school-aged” child — as of March 28.
DSHS further broke the case count down by age groups:
Both state and local health officials warn that since measles is so contagious, additional cases will likely occur in the next few weeks.
What are the uses, toxcitiy dangers of vitamin A when treating measles?
As first reported by CNN, physicians at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock have reported seeing an uptick in vitamin A toxicity cases as families use the vitamin to help treat measles.
This reported increase in vitamin A toxicity cases comes as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy has centered his response to the outbreak on vitamin A, which is backed by the Centers for Disease Control.
However, both the CDC and the chief medical officer for Covenant Health in Lubbock — Dr. Lara Johnson — advise that the treatment protocol should be conducted under the supervision of a doctor.
“At Covenant Children’s, we have encountered cases of vitamin A toxicity, indicated by abnormal liver function in routine lab tests,” reads a statement from Dr. Johnson. “We’ve seen fewer than 10 cases involving unvaccinated pediatric patients, all initially hospitalized due to measles complications. Some patients reported using vitamin A for both treatment and prevention of measles.”
“This topic has garnered extensive attention on social media and other platforms,” continued the statement. “While there are potential benefits, it is crucial to consult with your primary care physician before initiating any new treatment regimen.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following can happen if individuals take too much vitamin A at various doses:
A single large dose — over 200,000 mcg — can cause:
Taking more than 3,000 mcg a day of oral vitamin A supplements long term can cause:
What are the symptoms of measles?
According to Boston Children’s Hospital, the symptoms of measles are as follows:
According to the hospital, it takes between eight and 12 days for children to develop symptoms of measles, but it can be one to two days before the onset of symptoms and three to five days after the rash develops.
Who should and shouldn’t get the MMR vaccine?
Dr. Ron Cook, Lubbock’s community health authority, said children under the age of one are not eligible to receive the vaccines. However, if they have been exposed, doctors can administer the vaccine to children age six months or older.
“Our immunocompromised people are also at risk,” Cook said. “Those people who are taking immunosuppressive drugs that can’t take a live vaccine, and those who take immunosuppressants for an organ transplant.”
Some might have natural immunity from measles without having ever gotten the virus, but Cook said he wouldn’t take that risk and encouraged those individuals to get the vaccine.
Cook said the only individuals who don’t need the vaccine are those who have already received the two recommended doses of the MMR vaccine or those who have already gotten measles.
However, Cook also issued a warning to the public not to host “measles parties” — events where individuals expose themselves or unvaccinated adults and children to measles to become immune to the disease.
“We don’t get to pick and choose who’s going to do well and not do well when you become severely ill,” Cook said. “Please don’t do that. That’s just foolishness. That’s playing roulette.”
However, if individuals doubt whether they have been vaccinated, then they have two options.
“Go ask your primary care provider to do a blood test on you to see if you have immunity and or just receive another vaccine,” Cook said.
How do you contract measles?
The Mayo Clinic states that healthy people can get the virus whenever an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and infectious droplets spray into the air, where other people can breathe them in.
The infected droplets can also survive on surfaces for several hours, and healthy people can contract it when touching an infected surface then putting their fingers in their mouth or nose or rubbing their eyes.
“About 90% of people who haven’t had measles or been vaccinated against measles will become infected when exposed to someone with the measles virus,” the clinic reports.
Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Local doctor warn of vitamin A use, toxicity as Texas measles outbreak continues to grow
Reporting by Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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