Measles-Linked Deaths in Pennsylvania Amid Growing Outbreak

6:13 PM ETDeveloping

Health Desk

In Short: Two infants died in Pennsylvania last month, with one death linked to measles, as the state's outbreak continues to expand, according to the Lancaster County coroner.

Lancaster County’s coroner, Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, confirmed that two infants died last month, with one death linked to measles, as the state's measles outbreak continues to grow.

The coroner told The that a measles infection killed one of the infants, a 6-week-old baby girl, while the other infant, a boy, died from a ruptured spleen, though measles did not contribute to his death.

Meanwhile, outbreaks in Wisconsin and Ohio are also expanding, leading to increased healthcare costs and hospitalizations, including for children and pregnant women.

The CDC has not yet confirmed whether to count the deaths as measles-associated, and its website still carries a disclaimer about the deaths, pending further review.

What's still developing

Ivan Miller died on Aug. 14 shortly after his birth of a ruptured spleen, Diamantoni said.
But Diamantoni said measles did not contribute to what happened to the spleen, and that measles is noted only because it was considered “a significant condition” that the boy had at the time of death.
At one point, the webpage noted two measles-associated deaths but then was changed to say that the CDC was not counting the two deaths until it reviewed additional information.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak continues to expand, with more than 620 cases across 37 counties this year, state officials said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, measles infections have been surging in recent years.
Test your knowledge with our new weekday mini crossword NEW YORK — The two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania last month involved infants, and the virus itself caused one of the deaths, a Pennsylvania coroner confirmed Wednesday.
Dr. Stephen Diamantoni told NBC affiliate WGAL that the baby died in August and also had a rare genetic disorder called Amish lethal microcephaly.
At least 115 more people in Pennsylvania, mostly in Lancaster County, have been diagnosed with measles in the last week, the health department said Friday, bringing the state’s outbreak to about 577 cases within the last few months.

Sources

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