Unvaccinated Woman in Pennsylvania Dies Amid Measles Outbreak
A 40-year-old unvaccinated woman in Pennsylvania died on Saturday, likely due to complications from measles, according to Jefferson County coroner Greg Furlong. This marks the third reported death in a rapidly growing outbreak that has affected over 670 people in the state.
Pennsylvania is currently dealing with an expanding measles outbreak, which has already resulted in 124 hospitalizations. The state health department confirmed two deaths connected to the outbreak last month, sparking a debate on whether the fatalities were directly caused by measles or coincidental. In this recent case, the woman’s immediate cause of death was respiratory failure due to suspected measles, as indicated in a preliminary death certificate reviewed by The Times.
While tests have yet to confirm measles, the woman exhibited symptoms of the virus, including the characteristic rash that starts as flat red spots on the face and spreads downward. She had recent exposure to someone infected with measles. Furlong stated that a nasal swab will be sent to the state laboratory for further testing.
The woman had multiple chronic medical conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She required continuous supplemental oxygen, which made her more susceptible to severe measles complications. Although the state health department has not yet added this death to its official tally, they remain in close communication with Furlong.
Measles cases are typically mild, but approximately one in five unvaccinated individuals in the U.S. who contract the virus require hospitalization. Complications can include pneumonia, severe dehydration, and brain swelling. The virus poses significant risks, particularly for young children, adults over 20, and those with compromised immune systems. Although measles deaths are rare in the U.S., recent resurgences of the virus have led to a few fatalities, with two school-aged children and one adult dying last year due to measles complications. These were the first such deaths in a decade.
Reporter Teddy Rosenbluth, specializing in health news and medical misinformation, contributed to this report.