New York reports first measles death in a child in over 30 years
A child has died from measles in rural northern New York, marking the state's first measles-related death in more than three decades, officials said.
Key Takeaways
AIOfficials in New York state have announced the death of a child in a rural area in the north of the state after contracting measles, marking the first known measles-related death in New York in more than 30 years.
Governor Kathy Hochul said the child died in Lewis County, which is located about 150 kilometers north of Syracuse.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed three measles-related deaths in the United States this year. However, some state health departments have reported higher numbers; health officials in Pennsylvania have reported five deaths so far this year and are investigating a possible sixth case.
The United States eliminated local transmission of measles in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, but these rates have dropped in recent years to below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks of the viral disease.