Child in New York Dies From Measles Complications

A child in Lewis County, New York, has died after contracting measles. It is the state’s first measles-related death in 30 years. This comes as more than 4,852 measles cases have been reported across the U.S. this year as of Oct. 29—the most since 1991—according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“I am heartbroken to learn that a child in Lewis County has died after contracting measles,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said. “As a mother and grandmother, I cannot imagine what this family is going through. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this child.

“Measles is highly contagious, and vaccination remains our best protection against this dangerous disease. This is New York’s first measles-related death in 30 years, a devastating reminder of what’s at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress in protecting Americans from preventable illnesses.

“In New York, we will continue to stand by proven public health measures and do everything we can to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy.”

The news comes four weeks after Governor Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency in response to the measles outbreak across areas of New York and neighboring states, expanding the pool of eligible individuals who can administer measles vaccines and providing swift access to additional resources if needed. As of Oct. 24, there have been 178 total cases this year: 170 in New York State outside of the city and eight in New York City.

While the CDC has only confirmed three deaths from measles complication this year (New York’s recent death is not reported in this total), Pennsylvania has confirmed five measles-related deaths. As the leading state for outbreaks this year, Pennsylvania has reported 1,433 measles cases in 44 counties this year as of Nov. 2, with 269 disease-related hospitalizations, according to state health department data. The commonwealth also shared that approximately 300 health department staff are proactively working with residents, community organizations and health care providers to combat the measles outbreak in the commonwealth through access to fact-based information and access to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

Commonwealth health staff have administered more than 6,800 MMR vaccinations at 238 pop-up vaccination clinics in the affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for the upcoming weeks and months, based on community interest and need. In pop-up clinics and at state health centers combined, Pennsylvania nurses have administered more than 10,600 MMR vaccine doses to residents across the commonwealth in 2026.