New York Confirms First Measles Death in Three Decades After Child Dies

A child in northern New York died from measles, marking the state's first fatality from the disease in 30 years, officials announced on Monday.

The death occurred in Lewis County, about 93 miles north of Syracuse, where local health officials reported 15 infections through mid-October.

The death follows an outbreak that prompted state officials to declare a disaster emergency last month to expand testing and vaccine distribution.

"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," said Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York.

"Measles is highly contagious, and vaccination remains our best protection against this dangerous disease," Hochul said in her statement.

"We are deeply saddened by the death of a child in Lewis County associated with the ongoing measles outbreak," state and county health departments said in a joint statement.

Across New York, authorities had confirmed 178 cases by late October, with eight cases identified in New York City, according to ABC News.

CNN reported that all 15 patients recorded in Lewis County as of Oct. 14 had not received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

At the state's request, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent epidemiologists to Lewis County to assist with surveillance and outbreak planning.

News accounts diverged on national totals. CNN and ABC News reported that more than 4,800 cases have been recorded across the country this year, while The Hindu reported 2,318 confirmed infections.

Discrepancies also appeared in casualty figures. The CDC has confirmed three measles deaths nationwide, according to The Hindu, while Pennsylvania authorities alone have reported five deaths and are investigating a sixth.

Federal data shows that at least 96 percent of measles patients nationwide this year were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination histories, ABC News reported.

According to the CDC, measles causes one in five unvaccinated patients to be hospitalized, and up to one in 20 infected children develops pneumonia.

The Pan American Health Organization plans to convene an elimination commission next week, when health officials expect the United States may lose its status as a country that has eliminated measles.