US Pediatric Vitamin A Exposures Rise 39% as Measles Misinformation Drives Search Surge
Updated
Updated · New York Post · Jun 6
US Pediatric Vitamin A Exposures Rise 39% as Measles Misinformation Drives Search Surge
2 articles · Updated · New York Post · Jun 6
Summary
America’s Poison Centers logged 86 pediatric vitamin A exposures from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2025, up 38.7% from a year earlier as measles spread in the US.
Boston Children’s researchers found Google searches for “vitamin A and measles” jumped 44% on Feb. 26 and later peaked by March 22 after public comments promoted vitamin A and cod liver oil as possible measles treatments.
The study said searches ran 7.5 percentage points above projections for vitamin A and 1.3 points above for cod liver oil, though it could not prove the online interest led directly to supplement use.
Doctors said vitamin A can support measles recovery only under medical supervision, does not prevent infection, and can cause toxicity because excess amounts accumulate in the body.
The warning comes as US measles cases hit 2,288 in 2025—the highest since 1991—with 96% in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people and 2026 already nearing that pace.
The U.S. once eliminated measles. How did it reach the brink of losing this status with thousands of new cases?
As measles returns, why are unproven remedies endorsed by public figures leading to a spike in accidental child poisonings?
Over 1,300 Measles Cases and a Rise in Vitamin A Toxicity: How Misinformation Fueled the 2025 US Outbreak
Overview
In 2025, the United States faced a sharp rise in measles cases, threatening its measles elimination status and raising concerns among public health authorities. This resurgence was linked to outbreaks in states like Texas and South Carolina, with genetic connections suggesting wider spread. At the same time, there was an alarming increase in pediatric vitamin A exposures, driven by misinformation and advice from social media and health influencers who promoted vitamin A as a cure for measles. This dual crisis highlighted the dangers of misinformation, as it led to both increased disease transmission and preventable harm from inappropriate treatments.