Measles Outbreak Claims Sixth Life in Pennsylvania
WHO:
The Washington Post - The person who died was an unvaccinated resident of Jefferson County who tested positive for measles; officials withheld additional personal details, citing privacy laws.
ABC News - The person who died was an unvaccinated Jefferson County resident.
ABC News - Pennsylvania health officials reported the death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided the cited symptom and vaccination information.
ABC News - The article reported six measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania and one in New York, for seven nationally; it said a child died in Lewis County, New York.
WHAT:
The Washington Post - Pennsylvania health officials reported the state’s sixth measles-associated death amid the nation’s largest measles outbreak.
ABC News - Pennsylvania reported 1,467 measles cases, and the United States had more than 4,800 confirmed cases, with infections reported in almost every state. The national total was the highest since 1991.
ABC News - At least 96% of U.S. measles cases were among people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
ABC News - CDC-listed early symptoms include cough, runny nose, fever up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and red, watery eyes. Koplik spots—tiny white spots inside the mouth on the inner cheek—may develop two to three days after symptoms begin.
ABC News - A rash may develop three to five days after symptoms begin, starting at the face’s hairline and spreading down the body; fever may rise above 104 F when the rash appears.
ABC News - The CDC recommends two MMR vaccine doses: the first at ages 12 to 15 months and the second between ages 4 and 6. One dose is 93% effective against measles infection; two doses are 97% effective. Infants ages 6 to 11 months in or traveling to high-risk outbreak areas may receive an early third dose.
WHERE:
The Washington Post - The person who died lived in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.
ABC News - Pennsylvania had six reported measles-associated deaths; New York had one. The article identified Lewis County, New York, as the location of the child’s death.
WHEN:
The Washington Post - Officials reported the death on Wednesday; the article describes it as the sixth measles-associated death in Pennsylvania this year.
ABC News - Officials reported the death on Wednesday. The article says New York’s death came “just days after” Pennsylvania’s and was the state’s first known measles-associated death in over 30 years.
WHY:
The Washington Post - Officials withheld further details about the deceased person, citing privacy laws.
HOW:
ABC News - The CDC-recommended measles vaccination schedule uses two MMR doses; one dose provides 93% effectiveness and two doses provide 97% effectiveness in preventing measles infection.
(UPDATED November 5, 2026 04:04 UTC)
An unvaccinated Jefferson County resident died of measles, Pennsylvania’s sixth associated death. The state reported 1,467 cases, amid a nationwide outbreak exceeding 4,800 infections. Most U.S. cases involved people unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status.