Parents in the U.S. holding ‘measles parties’, alarming health experts

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As measles cases continue to rise in Texas, where a child has recently died, health officials are warning against so-called ‘measles parties’, calling the practice reckless and dangerous.

This follows an ongoing outbreak in West Texas, with 146 cases reported since late January. Health officials have confirmed that cases have now spread to New Mexico. Amid the surge, an unvaccinated school-aged child in the region has also died.

Cases are also increasing in Canada, particularly in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses, spreading through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It primarily affects children, prompting health officials to strongly discourage ‘measles parties’.

These gatherings involve parents intentionally exposing their children to someone infected with measles in an attempt to build natural immunity—an approach similar to ‘chickenpox parties’ that were common before the chickenpox vaccine.

During a media briefing on 28 February, Ron Cook, chief health officer at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, highlighted the dangers of measles.

“There are severe outcomes like pneumonia or death. There is encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Even more rare, but possible years later, is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which is fatal. It is a known complication of measles.”

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a progressive, disabling, and fatal brain disorder caused by a past measles infection. Symptoms typically emerge six to eight years after infection as the virus gradually destroys brain cells. There is no known cure.

Cook mentioned that he had come across reports of parents in the area organising such parties on social media.

“It’s dangerous to hold measles parties… let me strongly discourage you from doing this,” he warned. “We cannot predict who will suffer severe complications—hospitalisation, pneumonia, encephalitis, or even death.”

“It is simply too risky… we cannot choose who will recover and who will face life-threatening illness. Please don’t do this—it’s sheer recklessness, like playing roulette,” he added.