"Not Just a Childhood Disease": Woman in Her 40s Dies as Highly Contagious Measles Sparks Alarm in U.S.

Sharp Rise in Measles Cases in Pennsylvania

Three Measles-Related Deaths Reported

676 Infected and 124 Hospitalized

The number of deaths linked to the recent measles outbreak in Pennsylvania, United States, has increased to three after a woman in her 40s died from measles-related complications. The conflict between state and federal authorities over the response to the outbreak is also ongoing.

According to CNN on September 14 (local time), the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office in Pennsylvania announced that a 40-year-old woman residing in the county died the previous day due to complications from measles.

Measles Symptoms

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office stated that it is investigating the death in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Gregg Furlong, the Jefferson County Coroner, told CNN that the woman had not been vaccinated against measles.

This death followed two measles-related deaths that occurred in Lancaster County at the end of last month. At that time, these cases marked the first measles-related deaths reported in Pennsylvania in 35 years.

Currently, Lancaster County is the epicenter of the ongoing measles outbreak in Pennsylvania. As of September 11, there have been 676 confirmed measles cases in the state, with 108 of those cases being newly reported in the previous week. The number of hospitalized patients stands at 124.

In a statement, Coroner Furlong said, "This is a heartbreaking tragedy for the bereaved family and a sobering reminder that measles is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease."

According to Furlong, the woman who died had contracted the disease after a family member was first infected. She had pre-existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma and had already been using supplemental oxygen 24 hours a day before contracting measles.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said it is in communication with the coroner’s office and is separately reviewing the case. The findings will be released as soon as the investigation is complete.

Previously, two infants in Lancaster County were reported as having died in connection with measles. However, in one of those cases, there was a discrepancy between the state health authorities and the local coroner regarding the cause of death. The infant died of a ruptured spleen, and Steven Diamantoni, the Lancaster County Coroner, stated based on a forensic pathologist’s opinion that the splenic rupture was not caused by measles.

The other case involved a six-week-old infant suffering from a severe genetic disorder known as Amish lethal microcephaly, and Coroner Diamantoni told CNN that the cause of death was measles.

State and Federal Tensions Over Measles Response

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a member of the Democratic Party, revealed that he rejected the offer of federal support from U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. when the first two measles-related deaths were confirmed in the state last month.

Governor Shapiro explained that at the time, he communicated that Secretary Kennedy was harming the community by spreading misinformation about vaccines.

Secretary Kennedy, who is known for his vaccine skepticism, countered on social media that Governor Shapiro was "weaponizing infectious disease for political gain" and fomenting fear. He even suggested that the earlier deaths may have been fabricated by Shapiro's associates to exaggerate the risk posed by measles infections.

Measles Is Highly Contagious, But... Vaccine Is 97% Effective

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in five unvaccinated people who contract measles require hospitalization. Among every 20 children who get measles, up to one develops pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death among young measles patients. Additionally, about one in every 1,000 children with measles will develop a brain swelling complication, with one to three children out of every 1,000 infected dying as a result.

Measles Warning Sign. Photo is unrelated to the specific content of the article. Photo by Reuters-Yonhap News.

Jason Steeber, chief deputy coroner for Jefferson County, stated, "Many people think of measles as a childhood illness, but it can cause severe complications at any age. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious respiratory illness and hospitalization, and in rare cases such as this, it can even result in death."

The CDC recommends the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine as the most effective way to prevent measles. Receiving two doses of the vaccine provides 97% protection against the disease. This vaccine, first approved in 1963, is highly safe, with most side effects being mild and resolving on their own, according to the CDC.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.