MADISON, Wis. (AP) — An infant in southwestern Wisconsin has died after contracting measles, the state’s first death from the disease in 36 years, state officials announced Thursday.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services did not specify where the death happened or provide any additional details to protect the privacy of the family.
The coroner listed the cause of death as measles, state health officials said.
“My heart is broken for the family,” said Kirsten Johnson, secretary of the state health department. “Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease.”
The U.S. stopped the domestic spread of measles in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, but they have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks of the viral disease.
Seems likely the infant was unvaccinated, which would also explain the lack of quotes from the parents on the death
Most parents would be advocating for ways to prevent whatever killed their child. The exception is anti-vax parents grappeling with find an excuse why their child died, without admitting the fact it was their fault