New York Reports Its First Measles Death in More Than 30 Years

A child in Lewis County, in rural northern New York, has died after contracting measles, the state's first known measles-associated death in more than 30 years, the New York State Department of Health and Lewis County Public Health said in a joint statement Monday, November 2. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to the child's family and loved ones and ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,' the agencies said. No other details about the child were released.

New York had recorded 178 measles cases this year as of late October, 170 of them outside New York City, the state says; all 15 confirmed cases in Lewis County were in unvaccinated people, according to county records reported by WSYR. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency in October that lets paramedics, midwives and others give measles vaccines and lets nurses order testing. 'Vaccination remains our best protection against the heartbreak of another family losing a child to measles,' she said. The federal Department of Health and Human Services said the CDC had sent epidemiologists to help at the state's request.

The CDC has confirmed three measles-associated deaths nationally this year, while state health departments have reported more; Pennsylvania alone has reported five. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles.