Pennsylvania has reported four deaths associated with measles in the past month, marking the first such deaths in the state in 35 years. The state’s health department confirmed the deaths of an 18-year-old in Mifflin County and a 40-year-old in Jefferson County, both of whom were unvaccinated. Earlier deaths included a 6-week-old infant in Lancaster County, and a newborn whose death was attributed to an internal hemorrhage, though the measles virus was present in lung tissue. Nearly 700 measles cases have been reported in Pennsylvania this year, with 133 hospitalizations, and officials attribute the outbreak to declining vaccination rates.
The Mifflin County coroner stated the 18-year-old died due to complications of measles, specifically a rare neurological condition causing brain inflammation. The Jefferson County resident, a 40-year-old woman with asthma and severe lung disease, died Saturday. The Lancaster County coroner indicated the 6-week-old’s death was likely caused by measles, while the newborn’s death involved a splenic rupture and internal hemorrhage, with measles virus detected in lung tissue. Two doses of the MMR vaccine offer 97% protection against measles, typically for life, with the first dose administered around age one.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health defines a “measles associated” death as one with clinical evidence of infection, a positive lab test, and occurring within 30 days of symptom onset, considering medical records and exposure. The department said the latest deaths were linked to measles after rigorous investigations. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 3,294 measles cases and 267 hospitalizations as of September 10, but has not yet confirmed the Pennsylvania deaths, a departure from its typical practice of accepting state health department reports. CDC Director Erica Schwartz stated Pennsylvania, unlike other states with outbreaks, had not requested the CDC’s assistance.
Our reading is that the outbreak in Pennsylvania is severe, with a concerning number of deaths linked to measles, particularly among unvaccinated individuals. The discrepancy between the state’s confirmation of deaths and the CDC’s lack of confirmation is notable, and the state’s decision not to request CDC assistance is unusual given the scale of the outbreak. The differing coverage across news outlets highlights the focus on both the deaths themselves and the surrounding circumstances, including vaccination status and the CDC’s response.
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