Two infants die in Pennsylvania measles outbreak, coroner confirms one death caused by virus

Pennsylvania’s health coroner released details about two infant deaths that occurred during a growing measles outbreak in the state.

The first infant, Ivan Miller, died on Aug. 14 shortly after birth from a ruptured spleen. The second, Mary Stoltzfus, was six weeks old and died on Aug. 18 at home after a measles infection, which was especially severe because she was born with Amish lethal microcephaly, a genetic condition that makes her vulnerable to infection.

Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni reported his findings to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but CDC officials have not yet decided whether to classify either death as measles-associated, and the agency’s website still carries a disclaimer.

The information was released in response to a state right-to-know law request from local television station WPMT-TV.