A Pennsylvania coroner says a 40-year-old woman died from measles complications.
Why it matters: If state officials confirm it, Pennsylvania's 2026 measles outbreak would have a third death, intensifying scrutiny on vaccination and outbreak response. The case is still under investigation, so officials are treating the death as possible, not settled.
- Jefferson County coroner Greg Furlong said Sept. 13 that a 40-year-old county resident died Sept. 12 from complications associated with measles.
- Pennsylvania previously reported two measles-associated deaths in August, both involving infants in Lancaster County.
- The state health department said Sept. 11 that Pennsylvania had 676 confirmed measles cases across 37 counties in 2026.
- Pennsylvania says measles deaths are rare but can occur in roughly 1 to 3 patients per 1,000 cases.
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania coroner Greg Furlong said a 40-year-old county resident died Saturday from complications associated with measles, and state officials are treating it as a possible third measles-related death in the 2026 outbreak. Furlong said, "This is a heartbreaking loss for the family and an unfortunate reminder that measles can be a serious and potentially life-threatening disease." The reporting was first noted by the Associated Press.
Pennsylvania's two earlier measles-associated deaths were reported in August and involved infants in Lancaster County, according to the state health department. In its Sept. 11 statewide update, the department said the outbreak had reached 676 confirmed cases in 37 counties. The department's update is here: Pennsylvania health department update.
The health department said it is keeping a public dashboard tracking cases, hospitalizations, deaths, transmission and vaccination data. It also said measles-associated deaths remain under investigation. The department has said measles can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.
On the federal side, the CDC's measles page and National Center for Health Statistics records are still being used to track deaths and mortality data: CDC measles data and research. Pennsylvania has said measles deaths are rare but can occur in roughly 1 to 3 patients per 1,000 cases.
By the numbers
- 676 - Confirmed measles cases in Pennsylvania as of Sept. 11, across 37 counties.
- 2 - Measles-associated deaths Pennsylvania had already reported in August, both infants in Lancaster County.
Yes, but: The third death is still being treated as apparent or possible, and state officials said measles-associated deaths remain under investigation.
What's next: Pennsylvania's health department said it is maintaining a public dashboard with case, hospitalization, death, transmission and vaccination data as the outbreak continues.