New York Child Dies of Measles — State's First Such Death in 30 Years
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A child in Lewis County, New York, has died from measles amid an ongoing statewide outbreak, marking the state's first measles-related death in more than three decades.
New York state health officials announced Monday that a child in Lewis County, a rural county in northern New York, had died from measles — the first such death in the state in more than 30 years. Officials offered no further details about the child, asking that the family's privacy be respected. Lewis County has recorded 15 of the state's 178 confirmed measles cases this year; 170 of those cases occurred outside New York City. Governor Kathy Hochul had already declared the outbreak a state of emergency in October, and following a formal request from New York, the CDC deployed experts to assist with the response. Nationally, 4,852 measles cases have been reported, according to the CDC. Neighbouring Pennsylvania is battling the country's worst measles outbreak in 30 years, with 1,433 cases, 269 hospitalisations, and six deaths recorded as of Monday. Health officials urged residents to ensure they are up to date on the MMR vaccine, noting that two doses provide 97% protection against measles. The first dose is typically given at around age one, the second at around age five, and during outbreaks, babies as young as six months are eligible for an early dose.
