A sixth death has been announced in Pennsylvania's measles outbreak, as new figures indicate cases in the state have risen above 1,100. The most recent fatality was reported on Monday in Franklin county by its coroner.
The victim was identified as a 39-year-old female who was unvaccinated and had several underlying conditions, including a past diagnosis of measles with treatment. The coroner's office stated her primary cause of death was a probable acute cardiac event due to possible complications of the measles.
State officials reported on Monday that Pennsylvania has now recorded 1,137 cases and 219 hospitalisations since the outbreak began in April. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently lists two national deaths, amid a dispute over the methodology for classifying measles-related fatalities.
The CDC's website, last updated on Friday, shows 4,080 confirmed measles infections across the US in 42 separate outbreaks, marking the highest figures in decades. State guidelines recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine, or a combined MMRV vaccine, for children 12 and older.