Pennsylvania woman’s apparent measles death shows risks to people with health problems

The Jefferson County, Pennsylvania coroner says he’s confirmed an “active measles infection” in a 40-year-old Pennsylvania woman who died Saturday morning. She also had ongoing lung problems, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, the coroner’s office said. “She did have a pretty extensive medical history,” said Jason Stiver, chief deputy coroner and public relations officer for Jefferson County. “She was on oxygen 24/7.” Monday evening, the coroner’s office said that a nasal swab taken from the woman upon her death tested positive for measles. “The positive test result supports the determination that the decedent was suffering from an active measles infection at the time of death,” according to a press release from the coroner’s office. The woman, Stiver said, was pronounced dead in her home just before 8 a.m. Saturday. She hadn’t been vaccinated against measles.