Coroner says baby with measles in Pennsylvania died of a ruptured spleen

Key Points:

• The Lancaster County coroner, Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, stated that an infant's death, initially linked to measles by the Pennsylvania Health Department, was caused by an internal hemorrhage and spleen rupture, with no clear evidence that measles was the direct cause.
• The Health Department maintains the death was "measles-associated," indicating laboratory or epidemiologic evidence of measles infection, despite the coroner's findings and ongoing investigation into the case involving a non-certified midwife.
• Pennsylvania has reported 424 measles cases this year, with 73 hospitalizations and two deaths linked to measles, marking the first measles-associated deaths in the state in 35 years; both deceased were unvaccinated individuals.
• Measles vaccination rates in Lancaster County have dropped from 95.5% in 2017 to 87.6% last year, below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, contributing to the outbreak.
• Nationwide, 2,777 measles cases have been confirmed in 2024, the highest in 35 years, with experts like Dr. Paul Offit warning that the severity and death rate of the outbreak may be underestimated.