Third measles death recorded in US in 2026

A thirty-year-old woman in Pennsylvania succumbed to measles, raising the US death toll for the year to three, according to authorities. The Jefferson County coroner's office confirmed the fatality, which occurred on Saturday due to complications from the highly contagious virus. The woman had not been vaccinated. The tragedy underscores the seriousness of measles, a disease that should not be underestimated, emphasized Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Jason Stiver.

This marks the third measles-related death in the US in 2026, following two cases in Lancaster County earlier this year. Lancaster, known for its Amish population, has lower vaccination rates than the rest of the country, and the victims involved were unvaccinated. Measles, declared eliminated in the US in 2000, has experienced a resurgence in recent years due to rising vaccine skepticism and distrust of health authorities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported nearly 3,300 confirmed measles cases in the United States in 2026, surpassing the 2,289 cases recorded in 2025. The previous yearly record was set in 1991, with 9,643 cases. Initial symptoms of measles include fever, cough, and runny nose, followed by a rash a few days later. Serious complications, which can result in lasting damage or death, include pneumonia and brain inflammation.