Wisconsin reported an infant’s death from measles on Thursday, the state’s first measles-related death since 1990, as its outbreak reached 431 cases across 13 counties. The Wisconsin measles death was reported by NBC News.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said on Nov. 5 that the infant died in connection with the ongoing measles outbreak in the state, according to the Straits Times. NBC News reported that a coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death. The department declined to release further details about the death to protect the family’s privacy, the Straits Times reported.
As of Nov. 3, Wisconsin had reported 431 cases across 13 counties, with nine people hospitalized for severe symptoms, according to the Straits Times. State epidemiologist Ryan Westergaard said the 431 cases were "almost certainly an underestimate." He called it the largest number of Wisconsin measles cases in more than 35 years.
Vaccination coverage is a central concern. According to NBC News, only about 85% of Wisconsin kindergartners are vaccinated against measles. That is below the national average of 92% and the 95% threshold experts cite.
The health department is recommending early measles vaccine doses for infants as young as 6 months who are at increased risk. About 500 such doses have been given since August, according to Dr. Stephanie Schauer, as reported by NBC News. Schauer said some chains of transmission started with residents traveling out of state to events such as funerals and weddings.
Nationally, the CDC has confirmed 4,852 measles cases this year, more than double last year’s count and the most since 1991, according to NBC News. NBC News counts eight measles-associated deaths this year based on state health department data. The CDC has confirmed four. Reuters reports that the CDC did not name the states where its deaths occurred, so the two counts have not been reconciled.
The national picture includes a disputed case in Pennsylvania. NBC News reported that a Franklin County coroner reported an additional death last month that was possibly linked to measles. The state Health Department said Wednesday that it has not yet confirmed any deaths as measles-associated in the county.
The Pan American Health Organization will meet next week to determine whether the U.S. should lose its measles elimination status, according to NBC News.
The key facts about the Wisconsin death rely on two outlets, the Straits Times and NBC News, and no independent source confirms the death. The two outlets also differ on the date, with the Straits Times giving Nov. 5 and NBC News giving Thursday. Neither the Wisconsin Department of Health Services nor the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has responded to Reuters’ request for comment, and the reports do not give the infant’s age or home county.
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This article was written with AI assistance from the published reporting listed above. It is part of the World Brief daily news podcast.