Health · Public Health & Disease · 1 hr ago
Child dies of measles in New York, the state's first such death in 30 years
A child in Lewis County, New York, died after contracting measles, Gov.
Kathy Hochul said Monday.
The death is New York's first measles-related death in 30 years.
Measles spreads easily, and vaccination is the main protection against it.
Lewis County had reported 15 cases by October 14, all among people who had not received the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.
New York had reported 168 cases statewide, while more than 4,800 cases had been reported across the United States, according to the CDC.
Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency last month as cases rose, and said the state would continue using public health measures to protect residents.
A child in Lewis County, New York, died in connection with the ongoing measles outbreak, state officials said on November 2.
It was New York’s first known measles-associated death in more than 30 years.
Governor Kathy Hochul had declared a state disaster emergency in October in response to the outbreak.
Reports put New York’s measles case count at 168 or 178, depending on the source and reporting date.
State health officials said they had offered Lewis County resources for community outreach and vaccination efforts.
- Who
- A child in Lewis County, New York, died.
- What
- The death was associated with measles during an ongoing outbreak. It was the state’s first known measles-related death in more than 30 years.
- When
- State officials reported the death on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Lewis County, in northern New York.
- Why
- The child’s death was linked to the ongoing measles outbreak; further details were not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hochul declared a state disaster emergency in response to the measles outbreak.
Lewis County had reported 15 measles cases, all among people who had not received the MMR vaccine, according to CNN.
New York had recorded 178 measles cases that year, according to the Detik report citing Reuters.
New York health officials reported that a child in Lewis County had died in connection with the outbreak.
- Location
- Lewis County, New York
- Death reported
- November 2, 2026
- State’s previous measles-associated death
- More than 30 years earlier
- Lewis County cases
- 15 reported as of October 14, according to CNN
- New York cases
- 168 reported in CNN; 178 reported by NBC News and Detik
- Pennsylvania deaths
- Five reported by CNN and Detik; six reported by NBC News
4 sources
What people are saying
Measles is highly contagious, and vaccination remains our best protection against this dangerous disease.
We are deeply saddened by the death of a child in Lewis County associated with the ongoing measles outbreak.
The Department has offered resources to Lewis County to assist with community outreach and support local vaccination efforts – both in response to this case, and as part of our ongoing efforts to support counties that are facing this ongoing measles outbreak