Dr. Ron Cook
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Putin responds to Trump's ceasefire plan
In late February, Wells said the number of identified cases was the, quote, tip of the iceberg. And since then, the cases here in Texas have increased by more than 100.
Global News Podcast
Putin responds to Trump's ceasefire plan
The measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR vaccines, were developed in the 1960s, and by 2000, the World Health Organization declared measles eliminated from the United States. Cases related to the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas started being reported in late January. Dr. Ron Cook is the health authority for the city of Lubbock.
Global News Podcast
Putin responds to Trump's ceasefire plan
There's a high number of individuals that are not vaccinated. Where it started, I don't know that answer yet, but somebody came down with measles because it's so infectious, that individual spread it to lots of different people.
Global News Podcast
Putin responds to Trump's ceasefire plan
Despite early cases being in mostly remote counties, the outbreak has sparked health concerns across the state and the country. especially as cases continue to rise and with at least two deaths among unvaccinated, measles-positive people in the region.
Global News Podcast
Putin responds to Trump's ceasefire plan
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For years before he was nominated, Kennedy was critical of the MMR vaccine, two doses of which is 97 percent effective at preventing measles. Kennedy's initial response to the Texas outbreak during President Donald Trump's first cabinet meeting drew criticism of its own.
Global News Podcast
Putin responds to Trump's ceasefire plan
Three months into the new year, case numbers are approaching the total for 2024. The Texas outbreak also saw the country's first confirmed measles death since 2015. Kennedy says that vaccination is a personal choice and, in an interview with Fox Nation, referred to other methods of staying healthy to prevent contracting measles.
Global News Podcast
Putin responds to Trump's ceasefire plan
Public health officials and medical professionals continue to stress vaccination as the best way to avoid contracting the measles. Catherine Wells is the director of the public health department in the city of Lubbock. She says that coordinating care and outreach in such a widespread area can be difficult.