Third measles-associated death reported as Pennsylvania outbreak reaches 676 cases

A 40-year-old unvaccinated woman has died from measles complications amid a rapidly growing outbreak in Pennsylvania, officials confirmed Sunday.

The Jefferson County woman died Saturday, according to the county coroner’s office. Coroner Greg Furlong confirmed to CNN that she had not been vaccinated against measles.

Her death follows two measles-associated deaths reported in Lancaster County in late August, the first linked to the disease in Pennsylvania in 35 years.

The state’s outbreak had reached 676 cases as of Friday, including 108 new infections reported in the previous week. At least 124 people have been hospitalised.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for the family and an unfortunate reminder that measles can be a serious and potentially life-threatening disease,” Furlong said in a statement.

Furlong told CNN the woman contracted measles after a family member became infected. He said she also had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma and required supplemental oxygen before contracting measles.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said it was reviewing the case.