CHILD DIES OF MEASLES IN NEW YORK, FIRST SUCH DEATH IN 30 YEARS

A child has died of measles in Lewis County, in rural northern New York, marking the state's first measles-related death in more than 30 years. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the death late Monday, calling it "a devastating reminder of what's at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress in protecting Americans from preventable illnesses." Hochul said she was "heartbroken" by the death, adding: "As a mother and grandmother, I cannot imagine what this family is going through." Lewis County lies around 93 miles (150km) north of Syracuse.

New York has recorded 170 measles cases across more than a dozen counties this year. Pennsylvania is experiencing a larger outbreak, with more than 1,430 cases reported and its first measles death in 35 years. Accounts of the national death toll differ: the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed three measles-associated deaths in the US this year, while Pennsylvania alone has reported five deaths, with a sixth under investigation. Other tallies count the New York case as the seventh measles-linked death in the US this year. Vaccination rates have fallen below the 95 percent threshold health officials say is needed to prevent outbreaks, after the US eliminated domestic spread of the disease in 2000.

Hochul declared a disaster emergency in early October over measles cases in neighbouring states and rural parts of New York. The order expanded the pool of people permitted to administer measles vaccines to include paramedics and midwives, alongside doctors and nurses. It also allowed nurses, not just doctors, to order testing for the disease. Hochul tied the death directly to federal vaccine policy, repeating her warning about eroding protections against preventable illness.