A child in Lewis County, in rural northern New York, has died after contracting measles, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday. It is the state’s first measles-related death in 30 years.
The county is about 93 miles (150 kilometers) north of Syracuse. Hochul described the death as a devastating reminder of the risks posed when protection against preventable illnesses weakens.
The United States stopped domestic measles transmission in 2000 after maintaining high vaccination rates. In recent years, however, coverage has fallen below the 95% level needed to prevent outbreaks, according to the report.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed three measles-associated deaths in the country this year. State health departments have reported higher totals: Pennsylvania officials have reported five deaths and are investigating a possible sixth.
In early October, Hochul declared a disaster emergency in response to measles cases in neighboring states and rural parts of New York. The order expanded the group of people authorized to administer measles vaccines to include paramedics, midwives and others, and allowed nurses, as well as doctors, to order testing.
Sources: STAT News.