A sixth measles death has been reported in Pennsylvania, marking the worst outbreak in the state in over 35 years. The victim, a 39‑year‑old woman with underlying health conditions, had previously been treated for measles, according to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office. The office stated that this is the first death in Franklin County in many years with a recent history of a measles diagnosis and that it meets the Pennsylvania Department of Health definition for a measles‑associated death. No additional details will be released.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Health has recorded 1,136 measles cases since the beginning of the year and 157 in the last week alone. The state’s measles tracker listed five deaths on Monday, with the next update scheduled for Wednesday because of the Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday. The department confirmed awareness of the coroner’s report and said it is conducting a thorough review, using its definition of a measles‑associated death, which requires symptoms to begin within 30 days, clinical evidence, a positive lab test, and no unrelated causes.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports only two measles deaths in Pennsylvania, and its federal count has not been updated since late September. The data note that the total is subject to change as more information becomes available and relevant reviews are completed. Pennsylvania’s first measles death was reported in late August, also the first of the year in the United States.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Governor Josh Shapiro have exchanged criticisms over the numbers. Shapiro condemned what he called the Trump administration’s incompetence in responding to the outbreak, while Kennedy initially claimed the deaths were fabricated. The CDC has stated it has mounted an aggressive response to measles outbreaks nationwide and remains committed to supporting the state, emphasizing the importance of the MMR vaccine.
Nationally, there are 4,080 confirmed measles cases in the District of Columbia and 46 states, with 42 new outbreaks reported in 2026. Last year there were 2,289 confirmed cases, and outbreaks from 2025 have continued into the start of this year, including in Utah and South Carolina. Measles is highly contagious and can cause severe complications, especially in those who have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine. Rising vaccine hesitancy and misinformation have pushed cases to the worst levels since the 1990s, threatening the United States’ elimination status.
