An unvaccinated 18-year-old from Mifflin County has died of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a rare inflammation of the brain and spinal cord linked to measles, according to Mifflin County Coroner Andrea Alcalde. The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed the death on Tuesday, along with the death of an unvaccinated Jefferson County woman. That brings the state's count of measles-associated deaths this year to four.
After reviewing medical records and other investigative information, Alcalde determined that the cause of death was "acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a rare and severe neurological complication of measles," according to a news release reported by CBS News Pittsburgh. The manner of death was ruled natural. State Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said Pennsylvania is facing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades.
