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Fifth unvaccinated person dies of measles; CDC still not counting all deaths
Ars Technica • • health
Key Points:
- Pennsylvania has reported a fifth measles death in an ongoing outbreak centered in Lancaster County, which has seen 381 cases and three deaths, with a total of 943 cases statewide across 39 counties.
- The deceased include unvaccinated individuals, with previous deaths involving infants too young for vaccination and adults with underlying health conditions or severe complications from measles.
- This outbreak marks the first measles deaths in Pennsylvania in 35 years and the only reported measles deaths in the US so far this year, amid a national rise in cases linked to declining vaccination rates.
- The CDC has reported 3,659 measles cases nationwide this year, the highest since 1991, but has only counted two deaths, leading to controversy over its reporting criteria under the influence of anti-vaccine messaging.
- Pennsylvania health officials are actively vaccinating residents, administering over 8,500 MMR vaccine doses this year, emphasizing that full vaccination provides 97% lifetime protection against measles.
