Pennsylvania has its third measles-related death reportedly amid outbreak, and this time it claims the life of a 40-year-old woman

A 40-year-old woman has died in Pennsylvania in connection with the state’s ongoing measles outbreak, WTAE reported. This marks the third death linked to the current health crisis, which has already claimed the lives of two infants in the state.

The Jefferson County coroner’s office confirmed that the woman passed away on Saturday. Jason Stiver, the Jefferson County chief deputy coroner and public relations officer, noted, “Many people associate measles with a childhood illness, but it can lead to severe complications in individuals of any age.”

The two previous deaths involved infant children. One of these infants was born with a genetic defect that left her particularly vulnerable to infection. The other infant child was infected with measles and tragically died of a ruptured spleen.

Measles is known as one of the most infectious diseases in medicine

Data show that one in every five unvaccinated people who contract the virus requires hospitalization. The statistics regarding mortality are equally concerning, as between one and three children in every 1,000 die from respiratory and neurologic complications related to the disease.

The scope of the current outbreak is significant, with nearly 700 cases reported across 37 counties as of last week. The impact is felt most heavily in Lancaster and Mifflin counties, which are home to large farming communities. Pennsylvania state health officials are currently working alongside the coroner’s office to investigate this latest case. Interestingly, the health department released its most recent update on Friday, but that report did not yet include this latest death.

Stiver urged the public to take the situation seriously to prevent further loss. “Measles is highly contagious and can result in serious respiratory illness, hospitalization, and in rare cases like this, death. We encourage residents to stay informed, follow guidance from public health officials, and take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their families,” he said. He added, “While cases of severe illness remain uncommon, this tragedy highlights that measles should not be taken lightly.”

The broader context of this outbreak coincides with concerning data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency recently released information showing a steady decline in vaccination rates for kindergarteners, which includes the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines.