Measles Claims a Baby's Life in Wisconsin, the State's First Death in Over 35 Years

Wisconsin has reported a measles death in a baby, the first measles death in the state in more than 35 years. A child's death from a disease that has been preventable with a vaccine for decades is a stark reminder of how measles still finds its way into communities with gaps in immunization.

The death arrives at a sensitive moment for national health policy. Next week, experts are scheduled to determine whether the United States has lost its measles elimination status. Under the standard used by global health authorities, a country loses that status when a single chain of measles transmission continues for at least 12 months. A ruling against the US would be a significant setback for a country that declared measles eliminated in 2000.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known, and it spreads easily among people who are unvaccinated. Whatever the expert panel concludes, the Wisconsin case is likely to intensify debate over vaccination coverage and how public health agencies communicate with parents. Readers following the story should watch for the panel's findings and for any updates from state health officials.