Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the Department of Health and Human Services, downplayed the seriousness of an ongoing measles outbreak in Texas, falsely claiming that people had been hospitalized “mainly for quarantine” and misleadingly stating that the situation is “not unusual.

The death was a “school-aged child who was not vaccinated” and had been hospitalized last week, Texas officials said Wednesday.

Kennedy Jr. said ending the measles outbreak in Texas is a top priority for him and listed the steps his agency had taken to combat the spread of disease, including supporting the state’s vaccine efforts.

I recognize the serious impact of this outbreak on families, children, and healthcare workers,” Kennedy wrote on X Friday night.

Public health experts said that although it’s true we have measles cases in the U.S. every year, the latest outbreak is concerning.