Coroner releases details on 2 infant deaths in Pennsylvania measles outbreak
A Pennsylvania coroner has confirmed that two infant deaths in a recent measles outbreak were linked to the virus, though the CDC has not yet officially classified them as measles-associated. The infants had underlying health conditions that made them highly vulnerable to infection.
Why it matters
The classification of these deaths is a point of contention between local officials and federal health agencies, highlighting the complexities of tracking disease-related mortality.
The two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania last month involved infants, and the virus itself caused one of the deaths, a Pennsylvania coroner confirmed Wednesday.Lancaster County's coroner, Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, said he told the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of his conclusions. CDC officials, however, have not said whether they will count either death as measles-associated, and the agency's website still carries a disclaimer about them.Ivan Miller died on Aug. 14 shortly after his birth of a ruptured spleen, Diamantoni said.Mary Stoltzfus was 6 weeks old when she died Aug. 18 at her home. She was born with a genetic birth defect that left her highly vulnerable to an infection.
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