Wisconsin reports first measles death in over 30 years

An infant in Wisconsin has died from measles, marking the state’s first death from the disease since 1990, state health officials announced Thursday.The coroner listed the immediate cause of death as measles, the state Division of Public Health, part of Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services, said in a statement.“It is with a heavy heart we are reporting the first death of an infant connected with a measles outbreak in Wisconsin in many years. My heart is broken for the family,” Wisconsin DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson said in a statement. “Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease. Measles can cause serious illness and death, and it is important for all Wisconsinites to evaluate their risk and take steps to protect themselves and their family,” Johnson added.The announcement came just three days after New York reported its first measles death in 30 years, and with six measles-related deaths already reported in Pennsylvania, the most recent of which was reported Wednesday. Wisconsin has confirmed 431 cases of measles and nine hospitalizations related to the illness.NEW YORK REPORTS FIRST MEASLES DEATH IN 30 YEARS, HOCHUL SAYSThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not reflect every state’s death count in its totals, with its measles cases and outbreaks page reporting a total of four, though it does note the number is subject to change as “relevant reviews are completed.”Wisconsin ranks among the lowest-coverage states for measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccinations, with only 79.8% of children receiving one or more doses of the vaccine by the time they were 24 months old, well short of the herd immunity threshold of 95%.