Measles Death Toll Rises In PA, 280+ Hospitalized

The death was reported to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and added to Pennsylvania’s measles dashboard. Last updated Wednesday, the dashboard shows there have been 1,467 measles cases in 45 of the state's 67 counties thus far this year.

Three of the six measles-related fatalities were in Lancaster County. Two were in Jefferson County and one was Mifflin County.

The Franklin County coroner reported a measles-related death in October. That would have meant the most recent Jefferson County fatality would have raised the state's measles death toll to seven; however the health department has not found the case to have met the requirements to be considered a measles-associated death.

To be considered measles-associated, a death must meet all of the following criteria:

• Death must occur within 30 days of symptom onset in an individual with clinical evidence of a measles infection and a positive laboratory test.

• Death must not be due to unrelated causes, such as a vehicle accident.

Additional information, such as whether an individual was exposed to a confirmed measles case prior to death or supporting medical records, also is considered.

According to the state dashboard, there have been 34 newly confirmed measles cases in Pennsylvania since Nov. 2. There have been 283 total hospitalizations.

There have been only five cases of measles reported from vaccinated people.