Pennsylvania coroner reports sixth measles-associated death

Pennsylvania’s Franklin County coroner today reported a measles-associated death in a 39-year-old woman with several health conditions, the state’s sixth death linked to the disease.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the coroner said the death, investigated on Saturday, met the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s definition of a measles-associated death.

The woman had several underlying health conditions, including a past diagnosis of measles with treatment, the coroner’s office said. It, however, did not give additional details, citing patient privacy.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said it was aware of the information reported by the Franklin County coroner and was conducting a review of the reported death. It said it has confirmed five measles-associated deaths since late August.

“Our team has reached out to the coroner’s office and is conducting a thorough review of the reported death. We will update the public after our investigation is finished,” the department said in a statement.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Pennsylvania’s health department previously reported more than 1,000 cases and five deaths related to measles as the state continues to grapple with a rapidly growing outbreak.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not specifically confirmed the Pennsylvania cases but has said there were two measles-related deaths nationwide. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have publicly disagreed over how measles deaths are defined.

The CDC has shifted to using mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) for its national measles death count, moving away from reliance on reports by state health departments — drawing scrutiny.

The agency has said it is working with a group of state epidemiologists on a standard definition for measles-related deaths. The agency has said its death count could change as additional information becomes available and reviews are completed.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease but can be prevented with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which is about 97% effective after two doses.