A 40-year-old woman in Pennsylvania died from measles complications on September 12, Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong confirmed on September 13, according to CNN and AP. It is the third measles-related death reported in the state this year. CNN said the health department is reviewing the case and will release further information when available.
Pennsylvania’s September 11 update recorded 676 confirmed cases across 37 counties and 124 hospitalizations. Four patients had received the vaccinations appropriate for their ages; none needed hospitalization. The state figures cover 2026 and predate the announcement of the woman’s death, so that update still listed two measles-associated deaths.
Furlong told CNN the woman was unvaccinated and contracted measles after a family member was infected. She also had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, and already used supplemental oxygen around the clock. These details came from the coroner’s account; authorities have not released her identity.
The earlier deaths involved two infants in Lancaster County in August. According to AP, Coroner Stephen Diamantoni said measles caused the death of a six-week-old girl with a serious genetic condition. A newborn boy died of a ruptured spleen; he also had measles, but the coroner said the infection did not cause the rupture. The cases therefore differ in the role attributed to the virus.
Nationally, the CDC reported 3,294 confirmed cases through September 10, compared with 2,289 in all of 2025. Its website said the National Center for Health Statistics had no 2026 death records identifying measles as the underlying cause. The CDC is developing a standard definition for measles deaths with state epidemiologists and says reporting will change as reviews conclude and information arrives.
Pennsylvania says nearly 4,300 MMR vaccinations have been given at 130 pop-up clinics since the outbreak began in late April, with more clinics planned. The CDC says two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine provide the best protection. Its routine childhood schedule starts at 12–15 months, followed by a second dose at 4–6 years; local health authorities may recommend earlier vaccination for infants aged 6–11 months during outbreaks.
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