Child Dies of Measles in New York — First Such Death in the State in 30 Years
Written by AI from statnews.com's report. Not checked by a person.
A child in Lewis County, New York, has died after contracting measles, marking the state's first measles death in 30 years. Governor Kathy Hochul had already declared a disaster emergency in early October over rising cases in rural New York and neighbouring states.
New York state officials announced Monday that a child in Lewis County — roughly 93 miles (150 kilometres) north of Syracuse — has died after contracting measles, the first measles-related death in the state in three decades. Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, confirmed the death and called it "a devastating reminder of what's at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress in protecting Americans from preventable illnesses."
The United States had halted the domestic spread of measles in 2000 by sustaining high vaccination rates, but coverage has since declined to below the 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks of the viral disease.
Hochul had already declared a disaster emergency in early October — before this child's death was announced — because of measles cases in neighbouring states and in rural parts of New York. That order expanded the range of people authorised to administer measles vaccines, adding paramedics, midwives and others, and permitted nurses to join doctors in ordering diagnostic testing.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed three measles-associated deaths in the United States this year, though state health departments have reported higher figures. Pennsylvania health officials have recorded five deaths and are investigating a possible sixth.
