Pennsylvania issues alert on congenital measles—something US hasn't seen for decades
Pennsylvania alerts on rare congenital measles cases after decades of absence
Key points
- Pennsylvania’s health department issued a health alert about rising measles cases in pregnancy and congenital measles, a condition not seen in decades.
- As of October 19, there were 1,286 measles cases in the state, with 247 hospitalized and six deaths reported.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates 25 to 30 percent of babies born to mothers with measles during pregnancy are also infected.
Pennsylvania’s health department issued a health alert Monday warning of rising measles cases in pregnancy and congenital measles, a condition not seen in the U.S. for decades.
The alert notes that congenital measles—when a newborn contracts measles from the mother—has been identified for the first time in decades. As of October 19, the state reported 1,286 measles cases across 42 counties. Of those, 247 have been hospitalized, and six people have died, though one death is still under investigation.
The department confirmed 66 measles cases in pregnant women. It does not maintain a specific tally of congenital measles cases because there is no standardized definition for these cases.
Few pediatricians have treated a newborn with congenital measles, creating a clinical challenge. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that 25 to 30 percent of babies born to mothers with measles during pregnancy are also infected.
Congenital measles is only considered when the infection occurs in the last two weeks of pregnancy or the first 10 days after birth.
The rise in cases is linked to declining measles vaccination rates nationwide, allowing the virus to spread in under-vaccinated communities.
The health department has issued detailed clinical guidance for managing measles exposures and cases during pregnancy and in newborns.
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Questions and answers
- Congenital measles is a measles infection in a newborn contracted from the mother during pregnancy or shortly after birth.
- What is congenital measles?
- As of October 19, there have been 1,286 measles cases reported in Pennsylvania.
- How many measles cases are in Pennsylvania?
- Six people have reportedly died, though one death is still under investigation.
- How many people have died from measles in Pennsylvania?
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