Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Infant dies in Wisconsin's first measles-related death in more than 35 years
An infant in Wisconsin died after contracting measles, state health officials said Thursday.
The death is the state's first measles-related death in more than 35 years and the third reported in the US this week.
Wisconsin has recorded 431 cases in 13 counties this year, its largest outbreak in more than three decades, and nine people have been hospitalized.
The actual number of cases may be higher because some people who get sick do not seek medical care.
Children younger than five face a higher risk of severe illness, along with people with weak immune systems and people who are pregnant.
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, and Wisconsin is urging unvaccinated people to get vaccinated.
More than 4,800 cases have been reported across the US this year, the highest total since 1991.
An international meeting next week is scheduled to assess whether measles remains eliminated in the US.
An infant in Wisconsin died after contracting measles, state officials said Thursday.
It is Wisconsin’s first measles-related death in more than 35 years.
The state health department said the coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death.
Wisconsin has recorded 431 measles cases in 13 counties this year, and nine people have been hospitalized.
The death is the third measles-related death reported in the United States this week.
- Who
- An infant in Wisconsin died. Officials did not release further details about the child.
- What
- The infant died after contracting measles.
- When
- Officials announced the death on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
- Where
- Wisconsin; MedPage Today described the infant as being in southwestern Wisconsin.
- Why
- The coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
New York health officials announced that a child in Lewis County had died after contracting measles.
Pennsylvania health officials reported that an unvaccinated resident of Jefferson County had died after testing positive for measles.
Wisconsin officials announced that an infant had died after contracting measles.
- Wisconsin cases
- 431 cases in 13 counties this year, as of Thursday
- Hospitalizations
- 9 people in Wisconsin
- State record
- First measles-related death in Wisconsin in more than 35 years
- US deaths this week
- 3 reported measles-related deaths
- Child’s immediate cause of death
- Measles, according to the coroner
7 sources
Wisconsin reports infant death linked to measles outbreak
Bebê morre de sarampo em Wisconsin; estado vive maior surto em 35 anos
Baby overleden aan mazelen in VS, eerste sterfgeval in Wisconsin in 36 jaar
Child Dies of Measles in Wisconsin's First Such Death Since 1990
Wisconsin infant is US' third measles-related death this week
Wisconsin reports its first measles death in decades, the third in the U.S. this week
Wisconsin reports its first measles death in 36 years
What people are saying
My heart is broken for the family.
Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease.