Wisconsin reports first measles death since 1990, an infant

An infant in southwestern Wisconsin has died of measles, the state health department said Thursday. It is Wisconsin's first measles-related death since 1990, and a coroner listed measles as the infant's immediate cause of death.

Wisconsin outbreak

As of Nov. 3, Wisconsin has reported 431 measles cases across 13 counties in 2026, the highest number of cases in over 35 years. All but three of those cases are among individuals who were not vaccinated, and nine have involved hospitalizations.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson said in the announcement: "Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease." She added: "Measles can cause serious illness and death, and it is important for all Wisconsinites to evaluate their risk and take steps to protect themselves and their family."

The 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.

National context

The infant's death is the third measles-related death reported in the U.S. this week. Pennsylvania's Health Department reported a measles-associated death on Wednesday, and New York health officials announced a child's death in Lewis County on Monday.

State health department data show eight measles-associated deaths in the U.S. this year, the highest toll since 1991. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed four of those deaths and says it will update its count "as additional information becomes available and relevant reviews are completed." State health departments say none of the eight people who died were vaccinated; some were ineligible because of their age or health status.

The CDC has confirmed 4,852 measles cases this year, more than double last year's count and the most since 1991. Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective against the disease. Measles has been considered eliminated in the U.S. since 2000.

Why it matters

The Pan American Health Organization, part of the World Health Organization, will meet next week to determine whether the U.S. should lose its measles elimination status. Roughly 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 children with measles die from respiratory and neurological complications, according to the CDC.

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Sources

• nbcnews.com: Wisconsin reports first measles death in decades, the U.S.’ third this week
• mezha.net: Wisconsin reports its first measles death since 1990, the third in the U.S. this week
• fiercehealthcare.com: Measles updates: Wis. reports first measles death since 1990
• wbay.com: State reports first measles death in more than 30 years
• timesnownews.com: Measles Outbreak in US: Wisconsin Reports First Measles Death in Over 30 Years, an Infant | Times Now

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.