Sixth measles-associated death reported in Pennsylvania; state reviews case
In short
A sixth measles-associated death was reported Monday in Pennsylvania, involving an unvaccinated 39-year-old woman in Franklin County who had underlying medical conditions, NBC News reported. The state health department said it was reviewing the death; Pennsylvania had confirmed 1,136 cases and 219 hospitalizations as of Friday.
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Pennsylvania reported a sixth measles-associated death Monday as its outbreak continued, with the latest case involving a 39-year-old woman in Franklin County, NBC News reported. The county coroner's office said she had underlying medical conditions but did not specify them. A spokesperson said the woman had not been vaccinated. [ 3 ]
The spokesperson described the primary cause of death as a probable acute cardiac event due to possible measles complications. Pennsylvania's health department said Monday that it knew of the coroner's announcement and was conducting a thorough review. NBC News reported that the department considers a death measles-associated when it occurs within 30 days of symptom onset, with clinical evidence of infection and a positive laboratory test. Medical records and exposure before death are also taken into account. [ 3 ]
As of Friday, the state had confirmed 1,136 measles cases and 219 hospitalizations, according to NBC News. Two-thirds of cases were diagnosed in adults. The Washington Post described Pennsylvania's outbreak as the nation's worst ongoing measles outbreak and the first in the United States to exceed 1,000 cases since 1991. NBC News said the latest death was the sixth reported in the state in less than two months. [ 1 , 3 ]
Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician who directs the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, told NBC News that the true number of infections could be closer to 6,000 and said cases were being substantially underestimated. That figure was his estimate, compared with the state's confirmed count. The first two deaths announced in late August involved infants in Lancaster County, which NBC News said accounted for the vast majority of the outbreak's cases. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The death was reported amid an outbreak that has exceeded 1,000 cases. NBC News reported concern from a Philadelphia pediatrician that infections may be substantially undercounted, while the health department is reviewing the reported death.
Key facts
- A sixth measles-associated death was reported in Pennsylvania on Monday. [ 3 ]
- NBC News reported that the Franklin County case involved an unvaccinated 39-year-old woman with unspecified underlying medical conditions. [ 3 ]
- A coroner's office spokesperson described a probable acute cardiac event linked to possible measles complications as the primary cause of death. [ 3 ]
- Pennsylvania had confirmed 1,136 measles cases and 219 hospitalizations as of Friday, NBC News reported. [ 3 ]
- Two-thirds of confirmed cases were diagnosed in adults, according to NBC News. [ 3 ]
- The state health department said Monday that it was conducting a thorough review of the reported death. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The precise role of measles in the woman's death remains under review. NBC News quoted the coroner's office describing a probable cardiac event and possible measles complications, while the state health department said it was reviewing the death.
- The actual number of infections may exceed the confirmed total. NBC News cited Paul Offit's estimate of closer to 6,000 infections; the reported state-confirmed total was 1,136 as of Friday.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Washington Post reported that a sixth person who had measles had died in Pennsylvania, citing a local coroner. [ 1 ]
- Reuters reported a Pennsylvania county's announcement of a measles-associated death, bringing the state toll to six. [ 2 ]
- NBC News reported details of the Franklin County case and the health department's review. [ 3 ]