Coroner releases details on 2 infant deaths in Pennsylvania measles outbreak
Neither infant was old enough to be vaccinated. The first dose of the measles vaccine is typically given at around 1 year of age.
Two infant deaths linked to the measles outbreak in Pennsylvania last month have been detailed by the state's coroner. Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, the Lancaster County coroner, confirmed the deaths on Wednesday. The first death involved Ivan Miller, who passed away on August 14 shortly after birth due to a ruptured spleen. The second infant, Mary Stoltzfus, was six weeks old when she died on August 18 at her home.
She had a genetic birth defect called Amish lethal microcephaly that left her highly vulnerable to infections. A measles infection caused her death, according to Diamantoni.
Diamantoni did not perform an autopsy on Mary Stoltzfus; the cause of her death was determined by her doctors. His office did conduct an autopsy on Ivan Miller, which determined that he died from a ruptured spleen. The exact circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation. Both infants were too young to be vaccinated, as the first dose is typically administered around one year of age.
Neither death was counted as measles-associated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), though the death of Ivan Miller is listed as a contributing factor on his death certificate.
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