Robert F Kennedy Jr

A team dedicated to preventing lead poisoning was mistakenly terminated, says health secretary.

Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced last week that the health agency would cut 20,000 employees.

The move has been criticised by experts, who say the mineral helps reduce oral cavities, especially in children.

In his resignation letter, Peter Marks said his new boss, Robert F Kennedy Jr, favoured "misinformation and lies".

The move will shrink the nation's health department from 80,000 to 60,000 employees, officials said.

There are over 250 cases of measles in at least a dozen states across the US.

Kennedy previously called the outbreak "not unusual", but now says it's a "top priority".

Local health experts wish US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy would emphasize the importance of vaccines.