RFK Jr. will reportedly visit state

About 500 Texans, mostly young unvaccinated children, have contracted the disease. The U.S. health secretary is expected to come to Texas.

An 8-year-old girl with measles died Thursday morning, the second measles-related death in an ongoing outbreak that has infected nearly 500 Texans since January.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, is expected to visit Texas Sunday, NBC News reported.

The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying health conditions, said a spokesperson for University Medical Center in Lubbock, where the child had been hospitalized. "This unfortunate event underscores the importance of vaccination," the statement read. "We encourage all individuals to stay current with their vaccinations to help protect themselves and the broader community."

"On behalf of UMC Health System, we extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones of this child during this very difficult time," Chief Executive Officer of UMC Mark Funderburk said in a Sunday statement.