Lancaster County coroner identifies two infants in Lancaster County measles-associated deathsLANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. —The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office has identified two infants who recently died either from measles or in connection with the disease, following a right-to-know request filed by News 8. Coroner identifies infants in measles-related deathsIvan S. Miller died on August 14 in Strasburg Township. His death certificate lists a ruptured spleen as the cause of death and notes measles.The coroner’s office previously stated that a newborn boy died that day at a birthing center in Strasburg Township. The family lived near River and Slate Hill roads in Drumore Township. The coroner has classified this as a measles-associated death. Mary S. Stoltzfus died on August 18. According to the coroner’s office, she died of cardiac arrest due to measles. The just-over-one-month-old passed away at home near Pilottown and Goat Hill roads in Fulton Township. The coroner’s report also confirmed that the baby girl had been diagnosed with Amish lethal microcephaly, as News 8 reported last week. Low vaccination rates blamed for measles surgeAlan Shuldiner, co-director of the University of Maryland Amish Research Clinic, said, “Certainly, people who are so inclined who have not been vaccinated should be vaccinated.” Shuldiner explained that the clinic primarily studies common chronic disorders rather than measles directly. “The Amish research clinic does have about a dozen Amish liaisons who work in the community, as well as research nurses who go out in the field,” he said. He added, “I think that the reason for the surge is not a mystery. It’s that many people have not been vaccinated for measles.” Reported case numbers may be undercountedThe Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Tuesday that there have been 594 cumulative measles cases in the state, with 17 new cases since Friday, including six in Lancaster County. Shuldiner said these statistics may be underreported. “In virtually all cases, we tend to think that the actual numbers that are reported are underrepresented. And I think in this case, in Lancaster and Pennsylvania more generally, that’s the case as well,” Shuldiner said. School and wedding seasons could complicate responseWhile Shuldiner did not have specific numbers readily available, he noted that reducing measles cases will require significant effort. “With the school year starting, with wedding season around the corner, it’s going to be a difficult task,” he said. The Pennsylvania Department of Health stated that 46,000 MMR vaccines were administered in August, about 20,000 more than the average. Attempts to reach the coroner’s office for additional information were unsuccessful.This content is imported from infogram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
