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Wisconsin health officials reported the death of an infant related to the ongoing measles outbreak in southwestern Wisconsin.
It’s the first measles-associated death in the state in more than 35 years, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
DHS reported that the coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death. State officials said no further information about the death is being released to protect the privacy of the child and the family.
DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson said in a statement that her “heart is broken for the family.”
“Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease,” Johnson said in the statement. “Measles can cause serious illness and death, and it is important for all Wisconsinites to evaluate their risk and take steps to protect themselves and their family.”
Doctors recommend children get their first dose of the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, between 12 and 15 months.
But Dr. Ryan Westergaard, DHS chief medical officer and state epidemiologist for communicable diseases, announced Thursday on a call with reporters that the state is now recommending infants who are 6 months to 11 months old receive an early dose of the shot if they are at an increased risk of exposure due to the outbreak.
“In an outbreak, when we know that an infant may be exposed to measles, there is a benefit to providing that protection earlier,” Westergaard said. “For families with babies younger than 6 months or others who cannot be vaccinated, the most important protection is making sure that the people around them are immune. That’s one of the reasons that maintaining high vaccination coverage is so important.”
Kids younger than 5 years old are among those most at risk of serious complications from measles, along with people who are pregnant and those with weakened immune systems. The highly contagious virus can cause pneumonia and swelling of the brain.
Westergaard said the red, bumpy rash associated with measles doesn’t usually occur until several days after someone becomes sick. He told reporters than an infection typically starts with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, and he urged people to avoid contact with others as soon as these symptoms occur.
“We need people to recognize measles infections when they do occur and do everything we can to avoid exposing others,” said Westergaard, adding that those with symptoms should contact their local health department or medical provider for further guidance.
There have been 431 measles cases across 13 Wisconsin counties as of Tuesday. It’s the highest number of cases in the state in more than 35 years, according to DHS.
And it’s “almost certainly an underestimate” of infections, according to Westergaard. He told reporters that not everyone who becomes infected gets tested or comes to the attention of public health.
Westergaard pointed out that widespread vaccination changed measles from a common childhood infection to a relatively rare disease until recent years.
“That was an extraordinary public health achievement, but it wasn’t permanent and it wasn’t inevitable that we would have that success,” he said. “It depended on doing the hard work of maintaining high levels of immunity in our communities. The death we’re reporting today is a tragic reminder of what can happen when measles begins circulating again.”
The vast majority of cases in Wisconsin this year have been linked to spread of the virus among residents of Grant, Iowa, Lafayette and Vernon counties.
The remaining measles cases have been linked to people being infected with measles during travel out of state.
So far, nine Wisconsinites have required hospitalization for severe symptoms from measles. Over 99% of cases have been in people who are unvaccinated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been four other measles-related deaths reported in the U.S. this year.
The MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles when the person has completed the medically recommended two-dose course.
State health officials are urging residents to check their and their families’ vaccination status through the state’s online registry or with their medical provider.
DHS reported some progress on improving the state’s vaccination rates. Since Aug. 1, the state has delivered 2,000 doses of the MMR vaccine to local health departments in measles-affected communities. Across the state, over 42,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered since Aug. 1.
This story was originally published by WPR.
Infant’s death linked to measles outbreak in southwest Wisconsin is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.
