A child dies of measles in New York's first fatal case in 30 years, with Governor Kathy Hochul blaming Washington
Governor Kathy Hochul, whose October emergency order expanded access to the MMR vaccine, described the child's death as a reminder of what is at stake "when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress.Pennsylvania has reported five measles deaths this year, with a potential sixth under investigation, as the US vaccination rate has fallen below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
An unvaccinated child in Lewis County, roughly 90 miles north of Syracuse, has become the first New York resident to die of measles in more than 30 years, as US measles cases have climbed to a 35-year high of 4,852. In early October, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state disaster emergency declaration, broadening the range of providers authorised to administer the MMR vaccine.
New York's measles total this year stands at 178 cases, and all 15 infections recorded in Lewis County involved unvaccinated individuals.
Hochul said the death is a 'devastating reminder of what's at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress' on vaccines.
Pennsylvania has recorded six measles deaths this year; the CDC's own confirmed national tally stands at three.