Mifflin County coroner reports death due to complications from measles
LEWISTOWN, Pa. —
The Mifflin County Coroner’s Office released a statement saying an 18-year-old county resident died due to complications from measles.
“Following a review of medical records and all available investigative information, the cause of death was determined to be acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a rare and severe neurological complication of measles,” the statement said. “The manner of death was ruled natural.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed there was another measles associated death in Jefferson County. Both individuals, the person from Mifflin County and the person from Jefferson County, were unvaccinated, according to DOH.
“My thoughts are with the two families who lost loved ones to this highly contagious virus, as Pennsylvania faces the worst measles outbreak in more than three decades,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “We remain committed to working with our partners across Pennsylvania to stem this outbreak and prevent more deaths. That means ensuring people have the facts about measles and access to the MMR vaccine – which kept measles outbreaks at bay for decades.”
DOH said they would not be releasing any other details that could personally identify the two people to protect their privacy and the privacy of their families.
Governor Josh Shapiro issues statement
“Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed two more measles-associated deaths after local coroners reported these individuals died from complications associated with measles. That’s four total measles-associated deaths in our Commonwealth and the first Pennsylvania have seen in 35 years. These are tragedies, and four families are grieving.
“Pennsylvania is experiencing the worst measles outbreak in the country. To date, we have 693 recorded cases of measles in 38 of our 67 counties. This disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 — yet decades later, we are seeing it surge due to lower vaccination rates.
“This serious situation continues to be made worse by RFK Jr. playing games with public health and safety. It’s long past time for @SecKennedy to stop stoking vaccine skepticism and misinformation and compromising the serious mission of the nation’s public health agencies. It is also deeply concerning to learn that the Secretary personally intervened in an otherwise administrative process to direct the CDC to not report these Pennsylvania deaths, presumably because it doesn’t fit his phony narrative.
“Measles is preventable. I continue to urge all Pennsylvanians to speak with your trusted health care provider and get the best possible information to protect yourself and your family against this deadly disease.”
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responds
“Governor Shapiro has chosen to politicize this outbreak instead of implementing a unified public health response. He continues to point the finger at me and the federal government and to malign the Amish while refusing the federal assistance that might help end the outbreak.
“I have offered the Governor CDC Epi-Aid, which would put CDC epidemiologists on the ground to help the state respond. Texas, South Carolina, Virginia, Kansas, New Mexico, and Wisconsin requested Epi-Aids and worked alongside CDC teams to help bring their outbreaks rapidly and successfully under control.
“Governor Shapiro’s claim that I directed CDC to suppress Pennsylvania deaths is false. CDC is applying a consistent national standard rather than allowing politicians to decide which deaths appear in federal mortality statistics. CDC will report measles-caused deaths when the National Center for Health Statistics reports measles as the underlying cause based on death record information submitted by the states.
“CDC’s MMR recommendation remains unchanged. I have repeatedly stated that MMR vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles infection.
“Pennsylvanians deserve accurate, evidence-based public health information—not political grandstanding.”
DOH: Criteria and investigation process Before announcing the cases, the Department of Health (DOH) said it conducted thorough investigations in collaboration with the Jefferson and Mifflin County coroner’s offices.Investigators confirmed:Clinical evidence of measles infectionA positive laboratory testThat the death was not caused by an unrelated conditionThe investigations followed DOH’s detailed epidemiological case definition for determining a measles-associated death, available at pa.gov/measles.Investigators also considered additional factors, including:Whether the individual had been exposed to measles before deathRelevant medical records and other supporting documentationLancaster County deaths
Two measles-associated deaths were reported in Lancaster County last month. Those were the first such deaths in the commonwealth in 35 years.
That brings the statewide total of measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania this year to four:
Lancaster County: An infant died on Aug. 14, according to the county coroner.Lancaster County: A second infant death was reported in August; the date was not provided, according to the county coroner.Jefferson County: A 40-year-old woman died on Sept. 12, according to the county coroner.Mifflin County: An 18-year-old died; the date was not provided, according to the county coroner.Calls grow for county-specific health departments
The outbreak has also sparked conversations about the potential need for county-specific health departments, particularly in Lancaster County. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office expressed support for the idea.
“Seeing the rates that they are now and they’re going up, I think that might be something that the state needs to look into. Yes. For the local county,” the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said.
The coroner’s office also noted that it has been working closely with Pennsylvania’s Department of Health throughout the outbreak.
News 8 reached out to Governor Shapiro’s office and the Pennsylvania Department of Health for a response to Kennedy’s comments on a unified health response. As of now, no response has been received.
About measlesMeasles is highly contagious and can cause pneumonia, brain swelling, long-term complications, and, in rare cases, death.Nearly 20% of people with measles are hospitalized; about 1 to 3 per 1,000 cases result in death.The virus spreads through breathing, coughing, or sneezing and can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.A rash typically appears a few days later, beginning on the head and spreading downward.Symptoms may develop 7–21 days after exposure.If you may have been exposed or develop symptoms, contact your health care provider promptly or call 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).