By Islam El-Sakka
An infant in Wisconsin has died of measles, marking the state's first measles-related death since 1990 and the third such death reported in the United States this week, health officials said Thursday.
Wisconsin case
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said a coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death for the infant. The child was not vaccinated, and the death follows a measles-associated death reported in Pennsylvania on Wednesday and another in New York on Monday.
Pennsylvania and New York deaths
Pennsylvania's health department confirmed Wednesday that an unvaccinated resident in Jefferson County who tested positive for measles had died, the state's sixth measles death this year. The outbreak, which began in April, is the largest in the country with nearly 1,500 cases across 45 counties. A Franklin County coroner reported an additional death last month possibly linked to measles, but the state has not yet confirmed it as measles-associated.
Two days earlier, New York officials announced the death of a child in Lewis County, prompting Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare a statewide disaster emergency over measles in early October.
National toll and vaccination status
In total, eight measles-associated deaths have been recorded nationwide this year, the highest toll since 1991, according to state health department data. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed four of those deaths and says it will update its count as reviews are completed. None of the eight individuals who died were vaccinated; some were ineligible due to age or health status.
Rising cases and elimination status at risk
The CDC has confirmed 4,852 measles cases this year, more than double last year's total and the highest number since 1991. The surge is linked to declining vaccination rates across the country. Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective. Measles has been considered eliminated in the U.S. since 2000, but the Pan American Health Organization will meet next week to determine whether the U.S. should lose that elimination status.
Disease risks and symptoms
Measles is particularly dangerous for babies and young children, with roughly 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 infected children dying from respiratory and neurological complications, according to the CDC. Symptoms typically begin with high fever, cough, runny nose, and pink or watery eyes, followed by white spots inside the cheeks and a blotchy red rash. Severe cases can progress to pneumonia or brain swelling.
