A third death in a single week
An infant in Wisconsin has died of measles, the state health department announced Thursday. The department said a coroner had listed measles as the immediate cause of death. It is the state's first measles-related death since 1990, according to NBC News.
The announcement followed two others in the days before it. On Wednesday, Pennsylvania's Health Department reported that an unvaccinated resident of Jefferson County who had tested positive for measles died, the state's sixth measles-associated death this year. On Monday, New York health officials said a child in Lewis County had died of the disease. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency over measles in early October.
The national toll
According to state health department data, the U.S. has recorded eight measles-associated deaths this year, the highest toll since 1991. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed four of them. The agency says it will update its count "as additional information becomes available and relevant reviews are completed."
State health departments say none of the eight people who died were vaccinated. Some were ineligible because of their age or health status. The first dose is typically given around a child's first birthday. Before the current outbreaks in Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania, none of those states had recorded a measles death in more than 30 years.
Pennsylvania's outbreak, which began in April, is by far the largest in the country. The state Health Department puts its case total near 1,500 across 45 counties. A Franklin County coroner reported another death last month that may be linked to measles, but the state has not confirmed any measles-associated deaths in that county.
Wisconsin's vaccination gap and response
About 85% of Wisconsin kindergartners have been vaccinated against measles, below the national average of 92%. Experts say 95% coverage is needed to keep a population protected.
Dr. Stephanie Schauer, the immunization program director at the state health department, said some chains of transmission began when residents traveled out of state to events such as funerals and weddings. The department is recommending an early vaccine dose for infants as young as 6 months who face increased risk of exposure. Schauer said about 500 such doses have been given since August. The department has also sent 2,000 additional doses to local health departments over the past few months.
"We can actually eliminate transmission of measles in the community by getting enough people vaccinated," said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, the state epidemiologist for communicable diseases.
Elimination status under review
The CDC has confirmed 4,852 measles cases nationwide this year, more than double last year's count and the most since 1991. The rise is linked in part to declining vaccination rates. Two doses of the vaccine are 97% effective against the disease.
Measles has been considered eliminated in the U.S. since 2000, meaning the virus is no longer constantly circulating, though occasional outbreaks can occur. The Pan American Health Organization, part of the World Health Organization, will meet next week to decide whether the U.S. should lose that status.
The disease is especially dangerous for babies and young children, whose immune systems may not be developed enough to fight infection. The CDC says roughly 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 children with measles die from respiratory and neurological complications. Symptoms often begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose and pink or watery eyes, followed by a blotchy rash. Severe cases can progress to pneumonia or brain swelling.
