CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. \u2014 A 39-year-old woman died Saturday, Oct. 10, in Chambersburg, Pa., following a past diagnosis of measles. The death meets the criteria established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health for a measles-associated fatality, marking the first such death in Franklin County in many years.<\/p>\n
The case marks the sixth measles-related death recorded in Pennsylvania. The loss comes as the United States endures its highest annual number of measles cases<\/a> and related complications since 1991.<\/p>\n Related coverage: Measles confirmed in local school<\/a><\/p>\n The woman had several underlying medical conditions, including a past diagnosis of measles for which she had received treatment, according to the coroner\u2019s office.<\/p>\n The Franklin County Coroner\u2019s Office stated that no further identifying details about the woman would be made public. <\/p>\n \u201cTo protect the privacy of the individual and their family, the Franklin County Coroner\u2019s Office will not release any additional details that could personally identify them,\u201d the coroner\u2019s office said. \u201cOur office is bound by laws that limit what can be shared publicly and families deserve the dignity to mourn in private.\u201d<\/p>\n Officials with the coroner\u2019s office emphasized the need for public health awareness following the investigation. <\/p>\n \u201cWe strongly encourage our medical community, first responders and the public to follow the precautions set forth by the PA Department of Health and Center for Disease Control,\u201d the coroner\u2019s office said. \u201cCaution and vigilance are key to our success in the treatment of this disease and its after affects.\u201d<\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s five previous measles-related deaths<\/a> involved a resident from Lancaster County, an 18-year-old resident of Mifflin County in central Pennsylvania, a 40-year-old woman from rural Jefferson County in western Pennsylvania and two infants in Lancaster County in southeastern Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n Two measles cases<\/a> were confirmed in Allegheny County last week.<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n