USA: Child in New York dies after measles outbreak

A child has died after being infected with measles in rural northern New York state. Authorities announced Monday that this is the first death from the disease in the state in 30 years. The child died in Lewis County, about 150 kilometers north of Syracuse, according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

The Democrat described the child's death as a "devastating reminder of what is at stake when decades of progress in protecting the US population from preventable diseases are deliberately undermined in Washington."

State of emergency after measles surge

Hochul had already declared a state of emergency at the beginning of October in view of the increasing measles infections. This will allow the state to respond more quickly to the outbreak and allow health care professionals to take additional steps to get more New York residents vaccinated and tested if necessary. The corresponding order expanded the circle of people who can administer measles vaccinations. In addition, nurses were given the authority to order tests together with doctors.

The US health authority CDC has already confirmed three deaths related to measles in the USA this year. However, state health authorities are reporting higher numbers. Health authorities in Pennsylvania have already reported five deaths this year and are investigating a possible sixth case.

Kennedy Jr. in criticism

In the United States, the spread of measles was stopped in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates. In recent years, however, these rates have fallen below 95 percent - a level necessary to prevent outbreaks of the viral disease.