New York state health officials confirmed Monday that a child in Lewis County died from measles, marking the state’s first measles-associated death in more than 30 years. The case is part of an ongoing outbreak that has prompted emergency declarations and vaccination efforts across multiple states.
Health officials reported 178 measles cases in New York this year, including 170 outside New York City and 8 within the city, as of October 24. The child’s death occurred in a rural county in northern New York, where 15 cases have been reported this year. State health departments are coordinating with local partners to provide MMR vaccinations to unvaccinated individuals and investigate reported cases.
The U.S. has recorded 4,852 measles cases nationally this year, according to the CDC, with Pennsylvania reporting 1,433 cases—the highest in the country. The outbreak has resulted in six deaths in Pennsylvania and three measles-related deaths nationwide, though specific states for the other two deaths were not disclosed.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency in October in response to the outbreak, authorizing resources to support local vaccination efforts and containment measures. State officials emphasized that measles is highly contagious and urged residents to ensure they are up to date on MMR vaccinations, which provide 97% protection after two doses.
Health departments are also advising that babies as young as 6 months may receive an early dose of the vaccine during outbreaks. The CDC and state health departments continue to monitor the situation and provide guidance to affected communities.
Officials have not released additional details about the child or the circumstances surrounding the death, requesting privacy for the family during this difficult time.