Pennsylvania reports sixth measles-linked death as cases rise

Nov 4 (Reuters) – Pennsylvania health officials on Wednesday reported the state’s sixth measles-associated death this year as the outbreak continued to spread.

The state has emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for a substantial share of infections reported nationwide.

It has recorded 1,467 confirmed measles cases as of November 4, including 283 hospitalizations, the Pennsylvania Department of Health said. Nationwide, 4,852 confirmed measles cases had been reported as of October 29, according to CDC data.

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Pennsylvania Department of Health did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

The CDC has previously said it would deploy additional support to the state to help investigate the outbreak.

The latest death comes days after New York state reported its first measles-associated child death in more than 30 years.

The CDC has recorded three measles-related deaths this year, but did not name the states where they occurred.

The gap in numbers follows a policy shift under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with the CDC switching to the National Center for Health Statistics’ mortality data to track measles deaths, replacing its earlier reliance on state health departments’ figures.

Meanwhile, the Pan American Health Organization’s expert commission is expected to decide next week whether the United States still meets the criteria for measles elimination, a status it has held since 2000.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes symptoms such as fever, cough and a characteristic rash. It can also lead to severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis.

(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury and Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo and Sriraj Kalluvila)