by Rainier Dennis D. Bautista MD, DABFM, FAAFP For the first time in nearly a decade, a child in the United States has died from measles—a disease declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
Yet now, in 2025, measles is back, spreading rapidly both nationally and globally.
This disturbing resurgence demands our urgent attention, particularly here in Hawaii and within our Filipino community.
The return of this dangerous illness underscores a simple truth:vaccines work, and we must never take their protection for granted. Why Measles Is Dangerous Measles is not a harmless childhood ailment. It is highly contagious and can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation (encephalitis), permanent hearing loss, and even death.
Spread through airborne particles, measles can linger in the environment for hours, and up to 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed will become infected.
Recent Real-Life Consequences Samoa (2019): In one of the most devastating measles outbreaks in recent history, Samoa experienced over 5,700 infections and 83 deaths, the majority among young children. A dramatic drop in vaccination coverage, driven by misinformation, left much of the population vulnerable. The government declared a state of emergency and shut down normal operations to conduct a mass vaccination campaign.
Ohio, USA (2022–2023): Central Ohio reported 85 confirmed cases of measles, primarily affecting unvaccinated children under age five. More than 40% of these children required hospitalization, many for severe dehydration and respiratory complications. This was one of the largest outbreaks in the U.S. in recent years, fueled by declining childhood vaccination rates.
Philadelphia, USA (2024): A cluster of cases erupted in a daycare and emergency department, infecting multiple children, including infants too young to be vaccinated. Several were hospitalized. The outbreak was traced to an unvaccinated individual who had traveled internationally.
Texas & New Mexico, USA (2025): As of the writing of this article, over 400 measles cases have been reported in Texas, with one confirmed pediatric death—the first U.S. measles death in nearly a decade. The child had no known underlying conditions. In New Mexico, 33 cases have been confirmed, mostly in unvaccinated individuals, and one additional measles-related death is under investigation. These outbreaks have reignited public health warnings in areas with high vaccine exemption rates.
These are not just numbers—they are lives lost, children hospitalized, and communities disrupted. Measles is entirely preventable through vaccination. Its return is not due to medical failure, but to gaps in vaccine coverage and growing misinformation.
Vaccination: Our Best Defense The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available. A child needs two doses for full protection: the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second at 4 to 6 years. In Hawaii, this schedule is part of the routine childhood immunization program.
Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune due to natural exposure. However, adults born in 1957 or later who have never had measles or the MMR vaccine should receive at least one dose.
Certain groups—such as healthcare workers, college students, and international travelers—may require two doses for full protection. If you’re unsure of your vaccination status, a blood test can confirm immunity, or your healthcare provider may recommend a booster. There is no harm in receiving an extra dose if your records are unclear.
The safety of the MMR vaccine has been firmly established in decades of research and monitoring. The notion that the MMR vaccine causes autism stems from a single fraudulent study published in 1998, which was later fully retracted and discredited. The lead author lost his medical license, and numerous large-scale studies since then, including those involving hundreds of thousands of children, have found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Unfortunately, that false claim still circulates in some circles and continues to fuel vaccine hesitancy. It’s time we put that myth to rest, for the safety of our children and our communities.
Protecting Our Community Vaccination protects not just individuals but the entire community, especially vital in multigenerational Filipino households where family gatherings and close interactions are common. Immunizing your family helps shield infants too young for vaccination, elders with weakened immune systems, and individuals with medical conditions that prohibit vaccination.
As community leaders, parents, and caregivers, we have a shared responsibility to advocate vaccination openly and frequently within our families and community organizations.
Beware of Harmful “Remedies” In times of concern, misinformation can promote unproven and harmful “alternative” remedies. These products have no scientific basis and can seriously harm your health, such as:
Vitamin megadoses – Vitamin A has benefits in cases of measles in patients who are malnourished and vitamin deficient, but excessive or unsupervised dosing—especially in children—can be toxic to the liver and bones.
Cod liver oil – Promoted for its vitamin A content, excessive use has caused liver damage in some cases during the Texas outbreak. Cod liver oil is not a treatment or preventive measure for measles and should not replace medical care.
Steroids – Corticosteroids suppress the immune system and are not recommended during active measles infection unless prescribed in very specific, controlled hospital settings. Improper use may worsen outcomes.
Antibiotics – Measles is a viral illness and does not respond to antibiotics. Misuse contributes to antibiotic resistance and delays appropriate care.
Essential oils taken internally or applied to the skin – Oils like oregano or eucalyptus are often promoted online to “kill the virus,” but they are not antiviral and may cause allergic reactions or chemical burns, especially in children.
Unregulated herbal teas or tinctures – Some traditional remedies promoted on social media or in informal markets may include unsafe ingredients that interfere with medications or cause toxicity.
Measles “parties” – Intentionally exposing children to measles in the hopes of gaining natural immunity is not only outdated but extremely dangerous and irresponsible. Measles can lead to hospitalization or death even in healthy children.
These so-called “cures” can delay people from seeking real care or give a false sense of security. There is no substitute for vaccination. What We Can Do Check your children’s immunization records. Make sure they’re up to date, especially before school entry or international travel.
Get vaccinated yourself if needed. Don’t assume immunity—verify it. When in doubt, it is safe to get vaccinated again.
Educate your family. Talk to parents, aunties, uncles, and grandparents. Many grew up in a time when these diseases were common. Help them understand the importance of keeping vaccinations current.
Rely on trusted sources. The CDC, Hawaii State Department of Health, and your family physician are reliable sources of information, not influencers or viral posts.
During outbreaks, even individuals who’ve already received the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine may be advised to get an additional dose, particularly if they are in high-risk environments such as healthcare settings, schools, or areas with active transmission.
The extra dose is safe and may help boost protection during times of heightened exposure. If your vaccination history is unclear, it’s better to get vaccinated than to risk infection.
As a family physician and a member of the Filipino community here in Hawaii, I’ve seen how quickly preventable illnesses can re-emerge when vigilance fades. Measles should not be a threat in 2025, yet here we are. Let’s not wait until it reaches our schools or neighborhoods before we act.
Vaccines are not simply a matter of opinion—they are an essential matter of public safety. Together, we can ensure that measles never again claims another child, another life, or another future.
DR. RAINIER BAUTISTAis a board-certified physician specializing in both Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine. He currently practices at the Primary Care Clinic of Hawaii and serves as the president of the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii.
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