Health authorities in New York State have confirmed the death of a child from a measles-associated illness in Lewis County, marking the state’s first known measles-related death in more than 30 years.
The New York State Department of Health and Lewis County Public Health announced the death in a joint statement on Monday, November 2, 2026. Officials expressed condolences to the child’s family but withheld further details, including the child’s age and vaccination status, to protect the family’s privacy.
The death comes amid a growing measles outbreak across parts of the United States. New York had recorded 178 cases as of October 24, including 170 outside New York City and eight within the city.
Figures published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed 4,852 confirmed measles cases nationwide as of October 29, 2026, more than double the 2,289 cases recorded throughout 2025.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul had declared a state disaster emergency in October in response to the outbreak, enabling additional public health measures and support for vaccination efforts.
Health officials have urged residents to ensure they are up to date with measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations, describing immunisation as the most effective protection against the disease.
The CDC states that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide approximately 97 per cent protection against measles.
