Pennsylvania officials announced Monday that a 39-year-old woman from Franklin County died after contracting measles, bringing the state's total measles-associated deaths for the year to six, according to state health officials.
The Franklin County Coroner's Office investigated the woman's death Saturday. According to the coroner's office, the patient had several underlying health conditions and a recent measles diagnosis. The coroner's office determined the case met the Pennsylvania Department of Health's definition of a measles-associated death and said it will not release additional details that could identify the patient.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health defines a confirmed measles-associated death as one occurring within 30 days of symptom onset in a person who had clinical evidence of measles, a positive laboratory test, and no unrelated cause of death. The coroner's office noted this is the first such death reported in Franklin County in many years.
The discrepancy between Pennsylvania's count and federal figures reflects ongoing work to standardize reporting. While Pennsylvania has recorded six measles-related deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared only two "deaths due to measles" as the national public health agency continues to work with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to create a standardized case definition for reporting measles deaths across different states and counties. The CDC's count is subject to change as the agency updates its figures.
Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,100 cases linked to the measles outbreak. Last week, Allegheny County confirmed its second measles case, according to the Allegheny County Health Department.
The coroner's office released a statement regarding privacy protections: "Our office is bound by laws that limit what can be shared publicly, and families deserve the dignity to mourn in private."