After about 12 years of curbing measles, state health officials in Washington DC, USA announced its first death attributed to measles since 2003.

The Washington State Department of Health said the woman presented few of the disease’s common symptoms and her infection was only discovered upon autopsy after she died.

Via USA Today:

The woman was probably exposed to measles at a medical facility during a measles outbreak this spring, according to the health department. She was at the hospital at the same time as a patient who later developed a rash and was diagnosed with measles. Patients with measles can spread the virus even before showing symptoms.

The woman, who died of pneumonia, had other health conditions and was taking medications that suppressed her immune system, the health department said.

Janeth J