Sept. 13 (UPI) — A death from measles has been reported in western Pennsylvania, the third fatality in the state’s ongoing measles outbreak.
The death of an unnamed 40-year-old woman Saturday follows the deaths of two children
“Many people associate measles with a childhood illness, but it can lead to severe complications in individuals of any age,” Jason Stiver, Jefferson County Deputy Coroner and public relations officer, said in a statement. “Measles is highly contagious and can result in serious respiratory illness, hospitalization, and in rare cases like this, death.”
According to the statement, Jefferson County is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health regarding the case.
Measles is extremely contagious and hospitalizes 20% of the unvaccinated people that are infected. Between one and three children in 1,000 die from respiratory and neurologic complications related to the disease.
Pennsylvania as of last week had nearly 700 measles cases in 37 counties. The outbreak is largely concentrated in Lancaster and Mufflin counties, which have sizable farming communities.
Data released recently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed a steady decline in the vaccination rates for kindergarteners, including measles, mumps and rubella vaccines.