Wisconsin reports measles-linked infant death as U.S. cases top 5,000

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported on Thursday that an infant has died due to measles in the ongoing outbreak in the state. The coroner determined measles as the immediate cause of death, while the department refrained from disclosing additional information to safeguard the family's privacy. This incident occurs as the United States grapples with its highest number of measles cases in recent decades, driven by outbreaks in various states and decreasing childhood vaccination rates in certain communities.

As of November 3, Wisconsin had recorded 431 cases across 13 counties, with nine individuals hospitalized for severe symptoms. State epidemiologist Ryan Westergaard emphasized that this is the highest number of measles cases witnessed in Wisconsin in over 35 years. Westergaard further stated that the identified 431 cases are likely an underestimate, as not everyone who contracts the virus gets tested or comes to the attention of public health authorities.

State health officials have collaborated with local and Tribal health departments to manage the outbreak through case tracking, testing, and vaccination initiatives. However, Reuters was unable to obtain a response from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding this matter.

On Wednesday, Pennsylvania health officials announced their state's sixth measles-associated death this year. Earlier this week, New York state reported its first measles-associated child death. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented four measles-related deaths this year, though they have not disclosed the specific states where these incidents occurred.

The discrepancy in reported numbers is attributed to a policy change under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who directed the CDC to utilize the National Center for Health Statistics' mortality data to track measles deaths, replacing its prior reliance on state health departments' figures.