A child has died after contracting measles in Lewis County, northern New York, marking the state’s first death linked to the disease in three decades.
County and state health authorities confirmed the death on Monday, prompting an expression of sympathy from New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
“I am heartbroken to learn that a child in Lewis County has died after contracting measles,” Hochul said in a statement.
“As a mother and grandmother, I cannot imagine what this family is going through.”
Governor Hochul Criticises Federal Health Policies
Hochul linked the death to concerns about health policies under the Trump administration, describing the incident as a reminder of the importance of protecting the public against preventable diseases.
She said it was “a devastating reminder of what’s at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress in protecting Americans from preventable illnesses.”
US Records Thousands of Measles Cases
The child’s death comes as the United States experiences its worst measles outbreak in 35 years.
Figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention showed that 4,834 cases had been recorded across 47 states as of October 29.
In October, Hochul declared a disaster emergency in New York following measles outbreaks in the state and neighbouring areas.
Measles Returns Despite Previous Eradication Status
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 after years of successful vaccination campaigns.
However, the disease has returned in recent years amid increasing vaccine scepticism and declining trust in health authorities.
The latest outbreak has raised renewed concerns about the spread of a disease that had previously been brought under control through widespread immunisation.
Disease Can Cause Severe Complications and Death
Measles is a highly infectious illness that can cause fever, respiratory symptoms and painful skin rashes.
In severe cases, patients may develop complications such as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain, which can be fatal.
The disease continues to cause tens of thousands of deaths worldwide each year.
