Child dies of measles in New York marking first state death in 30 years
The death occurred in Lewis County as officials respond to a surge in measles cases across the state.
A child has died from measles in Lewis County, northern New York, marking the first such death in the state in 30 years, according to reports from Business Standard and the New York Post.
The child, who was unvaccinated, died in the rural area located approximately 150 kilometres north of Syracuse, state officials announced on Monday.
Kathy Hochul, the state leader, said the loss was a heartbreaking event and a sign of the risks faced when progress in protecting citizens from preventable diseases is undermined.
Hochul had declared a disaster emergency in early October due to rising measles cases in rural New York and neighbouring states.
Under this emergency order, the state expanded the group of people allowed to give vaccines to include midwives and paramedics, while also permitting nurses to order testing.
The New York State Department of Health stated that vaccination remains the most effective protection against the highly contagious virus.