{
  "id": 7233497,
  "title": "US measles death toll rises to three as cases surge past 3,000",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/us-measles-death-toll-rises-to-three-as-cases-surge-past-3-000",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-14T03:24:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/14/us-measles-death-toll-rises-to-three-as-cases-surge-past-3000/235128"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 40-year-old woman from Pennsylvania has died of measles, raising this year's death toll to three, as vaccination rates decline, according to authorities. The woman, who lived in Jefferson County, succumbed to complications associated with the highly contagious disease on Saturday, as confirmed by the county's coroner's office. Jefferson County Coroner Jason Stiver stated that the woman was unvaccinated, emphasizing that while severe measles cases remain rare, this tragedy underscores the severity of the illness. Two measles-related deaths occurred in August in Lancaster County, marking the first such fatalities in the US in 2026 and in Pennsylvania in 35 years. Lancaster County is home to a significant Amish population, known for lower vaccination rates than the general American population, and the victims were also unvaccinated. Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, but the disease has seen a resurgence in recent years due to vaccine skepticism and mistrust of health authorities. The crisis has been exacerbated by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a health skeptic and former presidential candidate, who is accused of fueling vaccine fears. As of September 14, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported nearly 3,300 confirmed measles cases in the US, surpassing the previous record of 2,289 cases in 2025 and the all-time high of 9,643 cases in 1991. Early symptoms of measles include fever, cough, and runny nose, followed by a rash a few days later. The virus can progress to more severe complications, such as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain, potentially resulting in lasting damage or death.",
  "summary": "WASHINGTON, Sept 14 — A forty-year-old woman in the US state of Pennsylvania has died of measles, authorities said...",
  "key_points": [
    "US measles death toll rises to three in 2026",
    "Pennsylvania woman, 40, dies of measles complications",
    "Lancaster County Amish community experiences first measles deaths in 35 years"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rising death toll and surging measles cases signal a concerning trend of vaccine skepticism and declining vaccination rates undermining public health progress in the US.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}