Wisconsin reports measles death of a baby, first death in over 35 years

A baby in Wisconsin has succumbed to measles, marking the first such death in the state since 1990, officials announced on Thursday. This tragic development coincides with an ongoing outbreak in the state, which has already claimed over 430 lives across 13 counties this year. Wisconsin's Health Secretary, Kirsten Johnson, expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of a child, particularly when it is caused by a disease that can be prevented through vaccination.

She emphasized the importance of all residents in the state to assess their personal risk and take measures to safeguard themselves and their loved ones against the measles virus.

The baby's death is not an isolated incident; it is one of three measles fatalities reported in the United States this week. Earlier, a child in New York and another person in Pennsylvania also succumbed to the disease. The Pennsylvania fatality was of an individual who was unvaccinated, though the department did not disclose further details, such as the victim's age. Wisconsin's measles outbreak has been relentless, resulting in a total of 1,467 cases so far in 2023.