A sixth death has been reported in Pennsylvania’s ongoing measles outbreak, with the total number of cases in the state surpassing 1,100. The latest fatality, a 39-year-old woman, was confirmed on Monday by the coroner of Franklin County, who noted that the victim had several underlying health conditions, including a previous diagnosis of measles.
Details of the Fatality
The coroner, James Conner, stated that this was the first measles-related death in the county in many years. The woman’s recent diagnosis met the criteria set by the Pennsylvania health department for inclusion in the outbreak statistics.
- Total cases in Pennsylvania: 1,137
- Total hospitalizations: 219
- Recent fatalities: 6 (including 5 since August)
National Context
Despite the rising death toll in Pennsylvania, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to report only two measles-related deaths nationwide. This discrepancy has sparked a dispute between Robert F. Kennedy, the Trump administration’s health secretary, and Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, regarding the classification of measles fatalities.
As of the latest update, the CDC reported 4,080 confirmed measles infections across the United States, marking the highest figures in decades. The outbreak has been attributed to low vaccination rates, with significant increases also noted in states like New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.
