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New York has reported its first measles-related death in over 30 years. A child in Lewis County, northeast of Syracuse, succumbed to the disease, according to the New York State Department of Health and Lewis County Public Health. The agencies expressed their condolences to the family and emphasized the importance of vaccination as the best protection against measles.
The state has recorded 178 measles cases this year, with 170 outside New York City. Lewis County has reported 15 cases, making it the fourth-highest in the state, following Seneca, Otsego, and Steuben counties, as noted by Syracuse.com.
Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed her sorrow over the child's death, stating, "As a mother and grandmother, I cannot imagine what this family is going through. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this child." She also highlighted the importance of maintaining vaccination efforts to prevent such tragedies.
The state has been actively working with county health departments to provide the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to unvaccinated individuals and to monitor and investigate all reported cases. The North Country Public Radio reported that health officials are urging New Yorkers to ensure they are up to date on MMR vaccinations.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and death. The MMR vaccine is highly effective, with two doses providing 97% protection against measles.
In response to the outbreak, Gov. Hochul declared a state disaster emergency last month, which expands the pool of those who can administer vaccines and provides quicker access to resources, as reported by UPI.