Coroner confirms infant measles death

A 6-week-old infant with a rare genetic disorder died from measles, Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni confirmed Friday. The infant, who had Amish lethal microcephaly, a condition that typically causes death within months of birth, passed away on August 18. Coroner Diamantoni stated that while children with this condition are often vulnerable to respiratory infections, his office investigated and determined measles was the cause of death for this infant. The Clinic for Special Children, which handled the case, did not initially refer the death to the coroner's office, as deaths from respiratory infections are not unexpected for infants with this severe neurological disorder. The clinic declined to comment on the case, citing privacy laws. The infant's death is one of two measles-associated deaths announced by state officials on August 25. However, Coroner Diamantoni has maintained that the second case, involving a newborn who tested positive for measles, was not caused by the virus. According to the coroner, the newborn died from a ruptured spleen.