Oct 2 (Reuters) – Pennsylvania’s health department reported 977 measles cases as of Friday, according to its website, as the state continues to battle a fast-growing outbreak of the disease.
Here are more details:
• The new figures follow the state’s report on Wednesday of a fifth measles-associated death, involving an unvaccinated Lancaster County resident.
• All five people who have died from the disease in Pennsylvania this year were unvaccinated.
• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed only two measles-related deaths nationwide this year, without naming the states.
• The US has recorded 3,887 measles cases this year as of October 1, according to CDC data.
• The CDC has said it is working with state epidemiologists on a standard definition for measles-related deaths.
• Pennsylvania remains the center of the nation’s measles surge.
• Measles is a highly contagious viral disease but preventable with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses.
(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
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