A fourth person has died as a result of measles in Pennsylvania.
The Mifflin County Coroner’s office says an 18-year-old has died due to a complication from measles.
“The cause of death was determined to be acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a rare and severe neurological complication of measles.
The PA Department of Health says the person was not vaccinated against measles.
Mifflin County Coroner says no other information about the deceased person will be released at this time.
Jefferson County’s Coroner Greg Furlong said that a 40-year-old unvaccinated woman died over the weekend as a result of contracting measles, the Department of Health has confirmed that death as well.
“My thoughts are with the two families who lost loved ones to this highly-contagious virus, as Pennsylvania faces the worst measles outbreak in more than three decades,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “We remain committed to working with our partners across Pennsylvania to stem this outbreak and prevent more deaths. That means ensuring people have the facts about measles and access to the MMR vaccine – which kept measles outbreaks at bay for decades.”
Measles is a highly contagious disease.
“Symptoms to watch for include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the head or face and spreads downward,” the DOH says. “Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. The only way to prevent measles is with the MMR vaccine.”
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should call the Department of Health’s number 1-877-PA-HEALTH.
More information can be found here.
