Wisconsin reports eighth US measles death, first since 1990

An infant in Wisconsin has died of measles, the state's health department said on Thursday, the first measles death in the state since 1990 and the eighth reported in the United States this year.

State health departments have now recorded eight measles deaths: six in Pennsylvania, one in New York and one in Wisconsin, according to ABC7 Bay Area, one of three ABC stations that carried the same report.

Wisconsin has confirmed 431 measles cases this year, its highest count in more than 35 years, and nine people have been hospitalised, health officials said. Kirsten Johnson, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health, said in a statement that her heart was broken for the family and that the death of a child from a vaccine-preventable disease was a tragedy. She urged residents to assess their risk and take steps to protect themselves.

Nationally, more than 4,800 measles cases have been confirmed this year, in almost every state, the highest number since 1991, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 96% of those infected were unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status.

Bloomberg reported that the CDC director publicly backed the measles vaccine as the death toll rose across the country.

Measles typically begins with cough, runny nose, fever as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40C) and red, watery eyes, the CDC says. Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms start, and a rash follows three to five days after that, spreading from the hairline down to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.

The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first at 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years. One dose is 93% effective at preventing infection and two doses 97%. Infants aged 6 to 11 months who live in, or are travelling to, areas with outbreaks may be given a dose early.