Is Measles Headed to Louisiana? Senator Cassidy Thinks So

With the recent controversial appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the nation's new Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, there's been a lot of focus the past few months on vaccines.

Kennedy's stance on vaccines, more specifically the COVID19 vaccine, caused a lot of concern during the campaign last year, and during his confirmation discussions for his appointment to the Department of Health Secretary.  Kennedy was called an "anti-vaxer", an accusation he denied during the confirmation hearings.

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But, without effective vaccines over the years, diseases like mumps, smallpox, polio, and rubella, would still be affecting Americans today.  But now, a mostly eradicated disease, measles, seems to be making a resurgence.

According to the CDC, a total of 93 cases of measles have been reported by 8 jurisdictions in 2025, including Texas, where one unvaccinated child has died from the disease.

US Senator Bill Cassidy fears that measles could be heading to Louisiana. In a recent report by the Louisiana Radio Network, Cassidy is quoted:

“The measles outbreak that started in West Texas and New Mexico is now moving across I-10 and it’s now in San Antonio, which means it’s moving to us,” Cassidy said during a conference call with reporters Tuesday. “It’s going to be in Houston. It’s going to be in Lake Charles. It’s going to be in (Lafayette) and Baton Rouge, and then it’s going to go up I-49 to Shreveport.”

Although there has been a lot of concern over the efficacy and safety of the COVID vaccine, Cassidy, quoting Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham, says the measles vaccine is safe.

“He pointed out the measles vaccine is safe,” Cassidy says. “He recommends it (and) I recommend it. There’s no daylight between us. We want the people of Louisiana protected.”

 

Cassidy recommends parents make sure their children are properly vaccinated.

“If your child is not vaccinated, please get your child vaccinated. If you’re pregnant, talk to your physician if you need a booster for that measles vaccine,” says Cassidy. “You do not want to get measles when you’re pregnant. It affected potentially not only you, but the baby in your womb.”