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By Alex Backus and Anna Commander
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A child in New York has died after contracting measles, marking the state's first measles-associated death in more than 30 years, health officials announced Monday.
The news comes as New York remains under a state disaster emergency declared by Governor Kathy Hochul in October in response to rising measles cases in rural communities across New York and neighboring states.
"I'm heartbroken to learn that a child in Lewis County has died from measles," Hochul wrote on X Monday. "My heart goes out to their family and everyone who knew and loved them."
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The Lewis County Public Health Department reported 15 confirmed measles cases in the county as of October 14, including two new cases. All 15 involved unvaccinated individuals, the county notes. It is immediately unclear at the time of publication if the child who died was vaccinated.
Newsweek reached out to the Lewis County Public Health Department for additional information.
As of October 24, New York had reported 178 measles cases this year, according to the state health department. Of those, 170 were reported outside New York City.
The state health department said it is working with county health departments and local partners to provide measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations to unvaccinated people who request them. Officials are also monitoring reported cases and conducting investigations, including contact tracing, to help prevent further transmission.
Public health experts have warned that measles can spread rapidly in communities with low vaccination rates.
“We have now pockets of unvaccinated children all over the country,” Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, previously told Newsweek. “Should the virus find its way into one of those communities, it would rapidly spread to those susceptible children.”
In a joint statement, the New York State Department of Health and Lewis County Public Health expressed condolences to the child's family and urged residents to ensure their measles vaccinations are current.
"Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious complications and death. Vaccination is the best protection against measles," the statement said.
What Are the Symptoms of Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People can become infected by breathing in the virus or, less commonly, by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
According to the New York State Department of Health, symptoms typically develop seven to 14 days after infection, although the incubation period can last up to 21 days.
Early symptoms include:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
A rash can develop three to five days after the initial symptoms appear. It usually begins as flat red spots on the face near the hairline before spreading down the neck and across the body, including the arms, legs and feet. Small, raised bumps may also appear, and the spots can merge as the rash spreads.
When the rash appears, a person's fever can rise to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the health department.
Measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, hospitalization and death. The infection can also weaken the immune system's ability to fight other illnesses.
People with measles can spread the virus to others beginning four days before a rash appears and continuing through four days after it develops. The incubation period can last up to 21 days.
Health officials recommend that people exposed to measles who are not immune quarantine for 21 days after exposure. Those who test positive should isolate until four days after the rash appears.
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How to Protect Against Measles
Health officials say vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. The MMR vaccine provides 93 percent protection against measles after one dose and 97 percent protection after two doses.
The state health department says infants 6 months and older may receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine if they are traveling to an area with measles transmission or otherwise face an increased risk of exposure. Those infants should still receive their next two doses, according to the recommended schedule.
Health officials also advise anyone experiencing symptoms of measles to call ahead before visiting a doctor's office, urgent care center or emergency department so medical staff can take steps to prevent further exposure.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anna Commander and Edward T. Cummins
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