DENMARK, N.Y. (WWNY) – The New York Times reports that the Lewis County child who died after contracting measles was an unvaccinated little boy.
The report cites Jeffery Tompkins, Lewis County coroner and prosecutor, as the source of the information.
What the report says
According to the report, Tompkins said the 7-month-old boy died Sunday at his home in Denmark City. He told the newspaper that the child’s family was Amish.
7 News has contacted Tompkins for comment. He referred the station to the county spokesperson, who referred 7 News to the state health department. The state health department has not released any additional information.
Babies and vaccines
The state health department says the latest guidance issued during this outbreak recommends that infants 6 months and older receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine to protect if they are at risk of exposure.
“When there is an active measles outbreak in your community, the first dose of vaccine is pushed back until 6 months of age. Then you get your regular dose at 12 months of age and then your other dose at age four. So you get that extra dose for the very young,” said Dr. James McDonald, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health.
Many members of the Amish community oppose vaccination for religious or cultural reasons.
Statements from health officials
State and county health officials announced Monday evening that a child in Lewis County had died after contracting measles. They said it was the first measles-related death in New York in 30 years.
In a press release Tuesday morning, public health expressed its sympathy to the child’s family and loved ones.
“We ask our community to show compassion and respect for the family’s privacy during this heartbreaking time,” the statement said.
Public Health also reminded that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine constitutes the best protection against the disease.
Governor’s response
Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday evening that she was “heartbroken” to learn of the child’s death.
She also said it was “a devastating reminder of what is at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress in protecting Americans from preventable diseases.”
She was likely referring to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic who has sown confusion and criticism about the MMR vaccine.
“In New York, we will continue to follow proven public health measures and do everything we can to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy,” Hochul said.
HHS Response
HHS released the following statement on Tuesday:
“Our hearts go out to the family who is grieving this tragic loss. Following the official request from New York’s Epi-Aid, the CDC deployed epidemiologists and other experts to work alongside state health officials on the ground, providing surveillance, data analysis, strategic planning, and other support in response to the outbreak. Secretary Kennedy and CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz continue to make it clear that the MMR vaccine is the most effective in preventing measles.
County records new case of measles
On Tuesday, Lewis County Public Health released its latest information on measles cases in the county.
There is one new case, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 16. All of these cases involve unvaccinated people.
Measles symptoms
Symptoms of measles may include:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
Symptoms may appear seven to 14 days, or up to 21 days, after measles infection.
A rash may appear three to five days after symptoms appear. The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
Small raised bumps may also appear above the flat red spots. The spots may join together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
When the rash appears, a person’s fever can reach over 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
In October, Jefferson County Public Health Director Stephen Jennings joined Jeff Cole on the 7NEWS Digital News Desk to talk prevention, measles facts people may not know, and much more.
You can watch the full interview below.
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