Pennsylvania confirms measles outbreak amid pregnancy concerns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 22:32 · Archive

Pennsylvania health officials warn of measles cases during pregnancy and the state's first congenital measles cases in decades.

Pennsylvania health officials are warning of a rise in measles cases during pregnancy as the state's outbreak escalates. The state has identified congenital measles cases for the first time in decades, according to an advisory issued by the Pennsylvania Health Department on Monday. Congenital measles occurs when a pregnant woman becomes infected and the virus is transmitted to her baby in the womb.

The condition can lead to serious health complications for newborns, including brain inflammation and death. Measles during pregnancy can also result in low birth weights, premature delivery and stillbirth. The health department has reported 66 measles cases in pregnant women since April. Before measles vaccines became available, congenital measles cases were rare because nearly every person was infected with the highly contagious disease during childhood and developed immunity.

State health officials are reinforcing vaccination guidelines and advising women to receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine before pregnancy. In 2000, the United States eliminated continuous local transmission of measles through widespread vaccination, but as vaccination rates have dropped, measles cases have spread and congenital measles is becoming more common.

How it is being reported

• Congenital measles cases are a growing concern in Pennsylvania, health officials warnCongenital measles cases have been identified in Pennsylvania for the first time in decades, state health officials warn. They say measles cases during pregnancy are a growing concern.PhillyVoice · 20 Oct, 22:02
• A week later, Pa. health officials still haven’t confirmed measles death announced in Franklin CountyA week after the Franklin County coroner’s office announced that a 39-year-old woman’s death had been related to measles, Pennsylvania health officials still have not added the fatality to state data on the outbreak.TribLIVE · 19 Oct, 20:25

In this story: Pennsylvania · Pennsylvania Health Department · United States · Children's Hospital of Philadelphia · American Academy of Pediatrics

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