New York Child Dies Of Measles

What happened

Updated 12:48am ET

A child in New York died of measles, the state's first measles-related death in more than 30 years. The child was in Lewis County, where reported cases were among people who had not received the MMR vaccine. Measles is highly contagious, and two MMR doses provide about 97% protection against it. In October, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency, which expanded who could give measles vaccines and let nurses order testing. Hochul expressed sympathy for the family and said the death showed the stakes of eroded disease prevention. HHS said CDC experts had supported New York’s response. State health officials said they will keep providing vaccines, monitoring cases and investigating reports.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets framed the death as a grave marker of measles’ return after decades without a fatal case in New York. CNN emphasized the long gap since the state’s last measles-related death, while citing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s warning that vaccination remains the best protection and that Washington had eroded progress against preventable illness.

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets led with the preventable danger of measles, stressing vaccination more than partisan blame. Fox News cited Gov. Kathy Hochul saying vaccination is the best protection, while also carrying her warning that Washington’s erosion of public-health protections put decades of progress at risk.