There is yet another measles death in Pennsylvania.
This is the 6th reported measles death in Pennsylvania (one other death was not confirmed as being associated with measles) and the 7th in the United States this year.
About the 7th Reported Measles Death in Pennsylvania
And thanks to reporting from the WaPo, we already know that this death occurred in a 21-year-old who had just given birth at home in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.
“The woman was a 21-year-old who suffered complications after giving birth at home and had to be airlifted to a Pittsburgh-area hospital, Brenda Shumaker, director of the funeral home who handled the arrangements, said in an interview. She died in the hospital on Sept. 30, Shumaker said, and the primary causes of death listed on the death certificate were multisystem organ failure, postpartum hemorrhage, acute liver failure, and suspected measles.”
Pennsylvania reports 6th measles-associated death
A death in an unvaccinated Amish woman.
“She had just delivered her baby. It was a home birth, and the midwife was not able to handle the complications,” Shumaker said.
Pennsylvania reports 6th measles-associated death
Her baby is reportedly healthy, although they could still be at risk to develop measles if the mother was still infectious around the time of delivery.
“The child, her first, is healthy and being cared for by the woman’s family, she said.”
Pennsylvania reports 6th measles-associated death
That would be an indication for IVIG to prevent complications of measles.
Plus, the baby is likely at risk for exposure to measles from other household contacts.
Bottom line - this is another tragedy that could have been prevented. Get vaccinated. Stop the outbreaks.
Just curious. I was born in 1944, before vaccines for the four routine childhood diseases — measles (3-day and 10-day), mumps and chickenpox — were developed. Each would run through a family, and sometimes a school classroom. What I don’t remember is anybody dying from these. What it also means is that getting them gave me lifetime immunity.