A child in Lewis County, New York, has died after contracting measles, Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday, November 2, 2026. This is the state's first known measles-associated death in more than 30 years.
The death occurs amid the United States' worst measles resurgence in decades. Pennsylvania remains the epicenter, with 1,433 confirmed cases across 44 counties, 269 hospitalizations, and 5 deaths so far in 2026. Nationally, CDC data shows more than 4,850 cases.
Lewis County has reported 15 cases, all in unvaccinated individuals. New York state has recorded 178 cases this year (170 outside New York City). Hochul previously declared a State Disaster Emergency to expand vaccine administration capacity.
Parents: Ensure household MMR status is current. Infants too young for routine vaccination are at highest risk; discuss early dosing with your pediatrician if living in or traveling to outbreak areas. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in young children.
Sources: New York State Department of Health joint statement, Governor Hochul remarks, Reuters, CNN, Pennsylvania DOH update.
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