The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said on Tuesday that a third person has died from measles in the United States this year. The announcement comes as the country faces its largest measles outbreak in decades.
The CDC did not say which state the death occurred in. Its national count remains below the measles-related deaths reported by state officials, particularly in Pennsylvania, the state hit hardest. As of Monday, Pennsylvania had reported 1,286 cases and five deaths.
Death certificate verified before CDC confirmation
The CDC confirmed the death after the National Center for Health Statistics verified that measles was listed as the underlying cause on a death certificate. The agency has said its death count could change as further reviews are completed.
Nationally, the CDC has recorded 4,410 measles cases as of October 15. In Pennsylvania, the outbreak has moved well past its starting point in Lancaster County, with 42 counties now reporting cases.
Federal method for counting deaths draws scrutiny
The federal approach to counting measles deaths has drawn criticism since the CDC began relying on mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics instead of reports from state health departments. The agency said it is working with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to create a standard definition for measles deaths. In the meantime, it will use that centre’s mortality data as its measure.
