An infant in Wisconsin has died of measles, the first measles death in the state since 1990, officials reported Thursday. The death comes amid an outbreak in the badger state that has stricken over 430 people across 13 counties this year.
“Any death of a child is a tragedy, and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease,” Wisconsin Health Secretary Kirsten Johnson said in a 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.”
The baby’s death is the third measles fatality nationally just this week, following the death of a New York child reported on Monday and another death in Pennsylvania reported on Wednesday. The Pennsylvania death was of an unvaccinated person in Jefferson County; the state health department did not provide additional details, such as the age of the person. The state’s explosive, ongoing measles outbreak has led to 1,467 cases so far this year.
