CDC reports third measles death in the United States this year

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday that a third person has died from measles in the United States, as the nation confronts its most extensive outbreak in decades. The agency did not disclose the state where the fatality occurred, and its national death count remains lower than figures released by some state health officials, especially Pennsylvania, which has been hardest hit. Pennsylvania reported 1,286 cases and five deaths as of Monday.

The CDC confirmed the latest death after the National Center for Health Statistics verified that measles was listed as the underlying cause on the deceased’s death certificate. As of October 15, the CDC’s tally of measles cases nationwide stood at 4,410. The agency warned that the death total could be revised as additional reviews are completed.

The Pennsylvania outbreak, which began in Lancaster County, has now spread to 42 counties across the state. Federal officials have faced criticism for the way they count measles deaths, after the CDC moved to rely on mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics rather than reports from state health departments.

The CDC told Al Jazeera that it is collaborating with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to create a standardized definition for measles‑related deaths. Until that definition is finalized, the agency will continue to use NCHS mortality data as its primary measure.