Wisconsin reports first measles death in decades, U.S. third this week

The Wisconsin Department of Health confirmed Thursday that an infant has died of measles, marking the state's first such death since 1990. A coroner listed measles as the infant’s immediate cause of death.

This follows reports from Pennsylvania and New York, where measles-related deaths were also confirmed this week. Pennsylvania reported its sixth measles death this year, while New York declared a statewide disaster emergency over measles in early October.

According to state health department data, eight measles-associated deaths have been recorded in the U.S. this year, the highest since 1991. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed four of those deaths and will update its count as additional information becomes available.

None of the eight individuals who died were vaccinated, according to state health departments. Some were ineligible due to age or health conditions. The first dose of the measles vaccine is typically administered around a child’s first birthday.

Before recent outbreaks in Wisconsin, New York, and Pennsylvania, none of the states had recorded a measles death in over 30 years. Officials in Wisconsin attributed some transmission chains to residents traveling out of state to events like funerals and weddings.

The Wisconsin health department is recommending an early dose of the measles vaccine for infants as young as 6 months who are at increased risk of exposure. Around 500 such early doses have been administered since August. Approximately 85% of kindergartners in Wisconsin are vaccinated, below the national average of 92%.