Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
U.S. Sees First Measles Death Since 2003
The Associated Press: Washington Woman's Measles Death Is First In US Since 2003
Measles killed a Washington woman in the spring — the first such death in the U.S. in 12 years and the first in the state in 25, health officials said Thursday. The case wasn't related to a recent measles outbreak that started at Disneyland and triggered a national debate about vaccinations, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Officials said it was a different strain. The Washington woman lacked some of the measles' common symptoms, such as a rash, so the infection wasn't discovered until an autopsy, department spokesman Donn Moyer said. (Bellisle, 7/3)
The Associated Press: The U.S. Just Recorded Its First Confirmed Measles Death In 12 Years
Health officials on Thursday confirmed the country's first measles death since 2003, and they believe the victim was most likely exposed to the virus in a health facility in Washington state during an outbreak there. (Izadi, 7/2)
USA Today: Measles Kills First Patient In 12 Years
The woman was probably exposed to measles at a medical facility during a measles outbreak this spring, according to the health department. She was at the hospital at the same time as a patient who later developed a rash and was diagnosed with measles. Patients with measles can spread the virus even before showing symptoms. The woman, who died of pneumonia, had other health conditions and was taking medications that suppressed her immune system, the health department said. (Szabo, 7/3)
