Health Matters: 3 deaths in Pennsylvania associated with measles outbreak, records show - Global News

The county at the center of Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is at a clear disadvantage because, local officials say, it lacks its own health department and it will now get special assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of Wednesday, Pennsylvania had confirmed 1,222 measles cases, up from 86 the week before. Six measles-associated deaths have also been confirmed by the state. The CDC announced on Thursday it would send a scientist – specifically, a “disease detective” – from the agency’s epidemic intelligence service to help tackle Pennsylvania’s growing outbreak. “CDC will continue working closely with Pennsylvania health officials to provide the expertise and support needed to respond to the outbreak and protect public health,” a CDC spokesperson told NBC News on Thursday. The spokesperson also added that the CDC director, Dr Erica Schwartz, recommends the MMR vaccine “as the most effective way to prevent measles and protect against infection”. The network also reported that in addition to the deployment of the “disease detective,” the CDC was releasing nearly $4m to aid the measles response efforts in Pennsylvania.