Additional Coverage:
Pennsylvania Reports Fourth Measles-Related Death Amid Ongoing Outbreak
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed on Tuesday that a fourth person has died in connection with the state’s growing measles outbreak. These fatalities mark the first measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania in 35 years, highlighting the severity of the current public health crisis.
All four deaths have occurred within the past month. Earlier this year, the United States recorded just three measles deaths nationwide.
The recent fatalities include two adults from Jefferson and Mifflin counties who were unvaccinated. The Mifflin County coroner reported that an 18-year-old died from a rare neurological complication caused by measles, while the Jefferson County victim, a 40-year-old woman with chronic respiratory conditions, passed away last Saturday.
In Lancaster County, two infants died: one newborn and a 6-week-old baby. According to the county coroner, measles was the confirmed cause of death for the younger infant.
Although the newborn had the measles virus present in lung tissue, the cause of death was attributed to internal bleeding and spleen rupture. Both infants were too young to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is typically administered starting at 12 months of age.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide approximately 97% protection against measles, usually lasting a lifetime.
The state health department classifies a death as “measles-associated” if clinical symptoms, laboratory confirmation, and death within 30 days of symptom onset are present, alongside medical history and exposure information. The latest deaths were confirmed after thorough investigations in partnership with county coroners.
To date, nearly 700 measles cases have been reported in Pennsylvania this year. Officials attribute the outbreak largely to declining vaccination rates.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed over 3,200 measles cases as of early September. However, the CDC has not yet verified any of the Pennsylvania deaths and has indicated no measles-related deaths in their 2024 records so far-a departure from past practice of acknowledging state health reports.
CDC Director Erica Schwartz noted that Pennsylvania has not requested federal assistance despite the outbreak. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health emphasized its ongoing collaboration with the CDC and stated that death records are submitted daily, including those related to measles.
The infant deaths in Lancaster County sparked significant misinformation and political controversy last month. Governor Josh Shapiro criticized Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for spreading vaccine misinformation, while Kennedy questioned the authenticity of the deaths and accused Shapiro of political exploitation.
Some anti-vaccine advocates argue that a positive measles test does not prove the virus caused death if other conditions were involved. Medical experts counter that measles is often the underlying cause in such cases, as patients typically would not have died otherwise.
The ongoing outbreak underscores the critical importance of vaccination to prevent further tragic outcomes.