New York State reports first measles-associated death in over thirty years amid ongoing outbreak

The first measles fatality in New York in over three decades highlights the severity of an ongoing outbreak that has prompted an emergency disaster declaration and expanded testing authorities for registered nurses across the state.

• •New York state health officials reported a measles-associated death in a Lewis County child, the first in the state in over 30 years.
• •New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency a month prior in response to the measles outbreak.
• •The emergency order allows registered nurses to order specimen collection and testing for suspected measles cases.
• •New York has recorded 178 measles cases this year as of Oct. 24, including eight in New York City.
• •At least 96% of measles cases in the U.S. this year have occurred among unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
• •Nationally, more than 4,800 measles cases have been confirmed this year across almost every state, the highest number since 1991.
• •Early measles symptoms include cough, runny nose, fever up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and red, watery eyes.
• •Patients may develop Koplik spots on the inner cheek two to three days after symptoms start.
• •A rash typically appears three to five days after initial symptoms, starting on the face before spreading downwards.
• •The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose 93% effective and two doses 97% effective.
• •Infants aged 6 to 11 months living in or traveling to high-risk outbreak areas may receive an early third dose of the MMR vaccine.