Pennsylvania Reports Third Measles-Related Death
9 hours ago
A 40-year-old Pennsylvania woman has died from complications associated with measles, marking the state's third measles-related death this year as health officials continue responding to hundreds of cases.
Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong said the woman died Saturday and described her death as “measles-related.” Her identity was not released beyond confirming that she was a resident of Jefferson County, about 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for the family and an unfortunate reminder that measles can be a serious and potentially life-threatening disease,” Furlong said.
Officials have not disclosed whether the woman was vaccinated against measles and said no additional information about her case would be released.
As of Friday, Pennsylvania had recorded 676 measles cases across 37 of the state's 67 counties. Of those cases, 124 resulted in hospitalizations, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The state's two previous measles-related deaths this year involved infants and occurred in August. One was a 6-week-old girl with a genetic condition that made her particularly vulnerable to infection. A coroner determined measles caused her death.
The other infant died from a ruptured spleen. The child also had measles, which was listed as a significant condition but was not determined to have caused the rupture.
Neither infant was old enough to receive the first routine dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which is generally recommended beginning at 12 to 15 months of age.
State and federal figures currently differ. Pennsylvania officials have reported three measles-related deaths, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said its national mortality records did not yet show any 2026 deaths in which measles was listed as the underlying cause.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong said the woman died Saturday and described her death as “measles-related.” Her identity was not released beyond confirming that she was a resident of Jefferson County, about 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for the family and an unfortunate reminder that measles can be a serious and potentially life-threatening disease,” Furlong said.
Officials have not disclosed whether the woman was vaccinated against measles and said no additional information about her case would be released.
As of Friday, Pennsylvania had recorded 676 measles cases across 37 of the state's 67 counties. Of those cases, 124 resulted in hospitalizations, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The state's two previous measles-related deaths this year involved infants and occurred in August. One was a 6-week-old girl with a genetic condition that made her particularly vulnerable to infection. A coroner determined measles caused her death.
The other infant died from a ruptured spleen. The child also had measles, which was listed as a significant condition but was not determined to have caused the rupture.
Neither infant was old enough to receive the first routine dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which is generally recommended beginning at 12 to 15 months of age.
State and federal figures currently differ. Pennsylvania officials have reported three measles-related deaths, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said its national mortality records did not yet show any 2026 deaths in which measles was listed as the underlying cause.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.