Girl (17) with measles, deceased

A 17-year-old girl from Zeeland died from the measles. She was not vaccinated, reports the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).The girl died last weekend in Tholen, according to Omroep Zeeland. It is the first fatal victim of the measles epidemic which prevails in the Netherlands since May.

The RIVM will not disclose which complications were fatal to the girl. Children with measles can contract pneumonia or meningitis.

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Officially there are 2016 measles patients, but the actual number is probably much higher, because many patients don't see a doctor, according to the RIVM.

The outbreak of the disease, which is particularly prevalent among children between 4 and 12, especially hit the Bible Belt, where many people refuse vaccination for religious reasons.