Pennsylvania Sees Fourth Measles Death, Highest in Decades

WHO:

CNN - Andrea Alcalde is the coroner of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.

CNN - Greg Furlong is the coroner of Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.

PBS - Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen stated, “We remain committed to working with our partners across Pennsylvania to stem this outbreak and prevent more deaths.”

PBS - Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro referred to the measles-related deaths as “tragedies” in a post on X.

CNN - Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen stated her thoughts were with the families of the deceased.

CNN - Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, commented on the outbreak and deaths.

CNN - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

CNN - Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong confirmed the death of the 40-year-old woman.

CNN - Dr. Erica Schwartz is the newly confirmed director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

WHAT:

PBS - Pennsylvania has reported a total of 731 measles cases in 38 counties for the current outbreak, which started in late April.

CNN - The outbreak has resulted in 133 hospitalizations in Pennsylvania.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Wisconsin has reported a new measles case in Marathon County, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 25 this year, with 22 of those cases in unvaccinated individuals.

CNN - The latest death in Pennsylvania was an unvaccinated 18-year-old who died from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a rare neurological condition that can occur after an infection.

NBC News Health - All four deceased individuals from the measles outbreak in Pennsylvania were unvaccinated.

PBS - The U.S. has seen seven reported measles-associated deaths in the last two years, which is more than the combined total of reported deaths over the previous three decades.

PBS - Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has nearly 700 illnesses reported so far this year across 38 counties, with about 100 cases in the last seven days.

PBS - The outbreak has resulted in 124 hospitalizations in Pennsylvania.

PBS - The U.S. is experiencing its worst year for measles since 1991, with over 3,200 reported cases nationwide.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Wisconsin has reported a new measles case in Marathon County, unrelated to an outbreak in southwest Wisconsin that has produced over 160 cases.

CNN - Pennsylvania has recorded 133 hospitalizations due to measles this year.

PBS - The U.S. has seen seven reported measles-associated deaths in the last two years, which is more than the combined total of reported deaths over the previous three decades.

PBS - Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has nearly 700 illnesses reported so far this year across 38 counties, with about 100 cases in the last seven days.

PBS - The measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania are the first reported in the state in 35 years.

CNN - Last year, there were three US deaths from measles, with two in Texas and one in New Mexico.

CNN - The outbreak in Pennsylvania has reached 676 cases, with 108 cases added in the previous week.

CNN - The woman who died from measles complications had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, and was on supplemental oxygen 24 hours a day before contracting measles.

CNN - Pennsylvania reported a fourth death related to measles, marking the highest number of measles deaths in the US in decades.

CNN - The latest death was an unvaccinated 18-year-old who died from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.

CNN - The state has recorded 693 measles cases in 38 counties this year, with over 3,200 cases reported nationally.

CNN - The outbreak has resulted in 124 hospitalizations in Pennsylvania.

NBC News Health - All deceased individuals were unvaccinated.

WHERE:

PBS - The latest death involved an 18-year-old resident of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.

CNN - The deaths occurred in Pennsylvania, specifically in Mifflin County and Jefferson County.

CNN - The epicenter of the outbreak is in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

WHEN:

CNN - The last time the US recorded four measles deaths in one year was in 1992.

CNN - The 40-year-old woman died on a Saturday, as confirmed by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

WHY:

PBS - The decline in vaccination rates has been attributed to parental waivers, healthcare access issues, and rampant disinformation.

PBS - The decline in vaccination rates has contributed to the resurgence of measles, with vaccination rates falling below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.

CNN - The outbreak is attributed to declining vaccination rates, as noted by Pennsylvania officials.

CNN - Governor Shapiro stated that misinformation about vaccines is harming communities.

HOW:

CNN - The CDC has not counted any measles deaths in 2026 due to insufficient information to determine if measles caused or contributed to the fatalities.

PBS - In November, international health officials will meet to determine if the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status.

CNN - The CDC has offered Epi-Aid support to Pennsylvania, which has not yet been requested by state officials.

PBS - In November, international health officials will meet to determine if the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status.

CNN - The CDC has not been notified by Pennsylvania officials of the recent deaths, despite repeated offers of assistance.

CNN - The CDC has not counted any measles deaths in 2026 due to insufficient information to determine if measles caused or contributed to the fatalities.

CNN - The MMR vaccine is cited as the best protection against measles, providing 97% protection with two doses.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 22:00 UTC)

Pennsylvania is currently facing a significant measles outbreak, with a total of 731 cases reported across 38 counties since it began in late April, resulting in 133 hospitalizations. Meanwhile, Wisconsin has confirmed a new case in Marathon County, raising its total to 25 cases this year, with 22 of those involving unvaccinated individuals. Health officials are urging vaccinations to help control the spread of the virus.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 19:01 UTC)

In Pennsylvania, an unvaccinated 18-year-old from Mifflin County has tragically died from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a rare neurological condition that can follow an infection. This death is part of a concerning trend, as all four individuals who have died during the recent measles outbreak in the state were unvaccinated. The CDC has not recorded any measles deaths in 2026, citing a lack of information to confirm whether measles played a role in these fatalities.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 13:58 UTC)

In a concerning development, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen emphasized the state's commitment to combating the ongoing measles outbreak, which has led to nearly 700 reported illnesses this year across 38 counties. Governor Josh Shapiro described the measles-related deaths as "tragedies," as the U.S. has recorded seven such deaths in the last two years, surpassing the total from the previous three decades. Looking ahead, international health officials are set to meet in November to assess whether the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 11:57 UTC)

The U.S. is facing its worst year for measles since 1991, with over 3,200 reported cases across the country. In Wisconsin, a new case has emerged in Marathon County, separate from a significant outbreak in the southwest region that has led to more than 160 cases, while Pennsylvania has seen 133 hospitalizations due to the virus this year. The decline in vaccination rates, driven by parental waivers, healthcare access issues, and widespread disinformation, has prompted the CDC to offer Epi-Aid support to Pennsylvania, although state officials have not yet requested it.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 10:58 UTC)

The U.S. has reported seven measles-associated deaths in the last two years, a figure that surpasses the total from the previous three decades. Pennsylvania is experiencing a significant outbreak, with nearly 700 reported illnesses this year across 38 counties, including about 100 cases in just the last week, marking the first measles-related deaths in the state in 35 years. As vaccination rates have dropped below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks, international health officials will convene in November to assess whether the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 02:01 UTC)

The measles outbreak in Pennsylvania has now reached a staggering 676 cases, with 108 new cases reported in just the past week. Tragically, last year saw three deaths in the U.S. due to measles, including two in Texas and one in New Mexico, with one victim suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Despite the severity of the situation, the CDC has not been informed of any recent deaths by Pennsylvania officials, even though they have offered assistance multiple times.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 01:56 UTC)

Pennsylvania has reported a fourth death related to a measles outbreak, marking the highest number of measles deaths in the U.S. in decades, with the latest victim being an unvaccinated 18-year-old who died from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. The outbreak has resulted in 693 measles cases across 38 counties in Pennsylvania, leading to 124 hospitalizations, and all deceased individuals were unvaccinated. Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized that declining vaccination rates and misinformation about vaccines are harming communities, while the CDC has not counted any measles deaths in 2026 due to insufficient information.