Mennonite newspaper warns of measles danger

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/04/2025 (545 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One of the key sources of information about measles for Mennonites in Texas comes from Steinbach. That’s where Die Mennonitische Post, a German-language newspaper, is published 21 times a year.

The newspaper, with a circulation of more than 10,000, is sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee Canada. Its target audience is conservative, Low German-speaking Mennonites in Latin and South America, Canada and the United States, including Texas.

Its editor, John Dueck, lives in Landmark. He visited the Seminole area in March. The community is in the heart of the measles outbreak in Texas, with 481 people — mostly unvaccinated children — infected with the virus.

Two children in the community have died from measles, including an unvaccinated eight-year-old girl who died from measles pulmonary failure last week.

Her funeral was attended by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who later posted on social media about the value of being vaccinated against measles — but stopped short of recommending universal vaccination.

In his article about that visit, published in the most recent issue, Dueck noted that not only Mennonites in that state are affected by the measles outbreak. But since the Post serves the Mennonite communities, he felt “a particular responsibility to observe and report on what is happening within these communities.”

Dueck’s message to them was to take the outbreak seriously and to be open to being vaccinated.

“Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family from measles,” Dueck wrote. “Vaccinated individuals are far less likely to contract and spread the virus.”

If people have measles in their homes, he encouraged people not to travel — something that is very common around holidays such as Easter, when people might go from Texas to Manitoba to see family.

“I am certain that no one wants to be responsible for transmitting this disease to others, particularly since measles can, in severe cases, lead to death,” Dueck wrote, adding if a family has a measles case, “it is essential to stay home and avoid contact with others.”

He went on to say that seeking the best for others was also a Christian responsibility.

“Let’s demonstrate our love and care for others by taking steps to prevent the spread of this disease,” he wrote, later saying in an interview that, “We need to protect the community.”

Dueck went on to note measles can be deadly for people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients, that taking vitamin A does not prevent measles and that people should seek medical attention immediately if symptoms become severe.

He noted in the interview that many older Low German-speaking Mennonites in Texas were vaccinated as children.

“It seems to be an issue for younger parents, mostly,” he said, noting false information linking vaccinations to autism is playing a role for some in deciding against vaccinating their children.

COVID-19 also played a role, Dueck said, noting it prompted suspicion of the government and health authorities among many Americans during that time —not only conservative Mennonites.

Although he encourages getting vaccinated as a way to prevent measles, Dueck said he realizes pushing vaccination too hard in the newspaper can have the opposite effect on some people.

“We need to listen, not issue mandates — have a discussion,” he said, noting that was also the advice he gave to a health official in Texas when asked how to engage Mennonites in the Seminole area.

If vaccination is pushed, “We won’t get anywhere,” he said.

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