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[HEALTH] · United States · 26 sources

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Pennsylvania measles outbreak claims third death

A growing measles outbreak in Pennsylvania has resulted in a third death this year, involving a 40-year-old unvaccinated woman in Jefferson County. The woman, who suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, died from complications associated with the virus. This follows two infant deaths in Lancaster County reported in August, marking the first measles-related fatalities in the state in 35 years.

As of recent reports, the outbreak has reached 676 confirmed cases and 124 hospitalizations across 37 counties. The surge in cases has coincided with declining MMR vaccination rates among school-aged children.

The situation has sparked a dispute between state and federal authorities. While Pennsylvania health officials have characterized the deaths as measles-related, the CDC has not yet incorporated these fatalities into its national mortality count, noting it has not been officially notified of the recent adult death in Jefferson County.

Entities

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Erica Schwartz · Greg Furlong · Jefferson County Coroner's Office · Jefferson County Coroner’s Office · Lancaster County · Pennsylvania · Pennsylvania Department of Health

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24 minutes ago