America’s measles deaths reach 10 by state counts, and the CDC’s own tally still says six
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin each reported another measles-associated death on Friday, taking the US toll this year to 10 by state health department counts. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists six, and is still working out how to define a measles death. The figures land days before a regional health body rules on whether the US can still call itself measles-free.
Live updates
- 1.25pm AWST SatLatest
The CDC's tally stands at six measles-related deaths this year; state counts reach 10.
- Saturday morning AWST
Pennsylvania reports the death of an unvaccinated Montour County resident and Wisconsin the death of a child, taking state-reported deaths to 10.
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Three things to know
- Pennsylvania has now recorded seven measles deaths this year, Wisconsin two and New York one. Before 2026, none of the three had recorded a measles death in more than 30 years.
- The US has more than 5,400 confirmed cases this year, more than double 2025's 2,289 and the most since 1991.
- The Pan American Health Organization met this week on the US elimination status, with a decision expected on Tuesday, US time. Canada lost its status last year.
Two more deaths on Friday took the United States to 10 measles-associated deaths this year, a number the country’s own disease agency does not yet accept.
Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services reported the death of a child and declined to give further details, citing the family’s privacy. Pennsylvania’s health department said its latest death was an unvaccinated resident of Montour County who had tested positive for measles.
Pennsylvania now has seven deaths and 1,542 confirmed cases this year. Wisconsin has two deaths and 651 cases. New York recorded its first measles death in more than 30 years on 2 November, a child.
Why are there two different death tolls?
Because the states and the federal government are counting differently. The CDC’s website records six measles-related deaths this year, already double its 2025 figure. Pennsylvania counts a death as measles-associated if a confirmed patient dies within 30 days of symptoms starting, unless something unrelated caused it.
The CDC says it is working with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists on a standard definition. Epidemiologists note that tracking measles-associated deaths is long-standing practice for both the CDC and the World Health Organization.
How did a country that eliminated measles get here?
The US declared measles eliminated in 2000. Since then, vaccination has slipped: the share of kindergarten children with the measles vaccine fell from 95.2 per cent in the 2019-20 school year to 92.4 per cent in 2025-26. Public health experts put the level needed to stop outbreaks at about 95 per cent.
Measles is the most contagious virus known and can cause pneumonia and swelling of the brain. Two doses of the MMR vaccine, usually given around a child’s first birthday and again between four and six, are about 97 per cent effective. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are recommending an early dose for babies aged six to 11 months in areas with many cases.
What does losing elimination status mean?
It is a formal judgement that the virus has spread continuously inside the country for at least 12 months, rather than arriving in occasional imported cases. Canada lost its status last year on that standard.
For Australia, which was verified as having eliminated measles in 2014, the US outbreak is a travel issue: most Australian measles cases start with an infection picked up overseas. Australian health authorities advise travellers to check they have had two doses before leaving.
VNN will update this story as more is confirmed.
How we got here
The key moments that brought this story into focus. Open any moment for detail.
2000US declares measles eliminated
Continuous spread of the virus is judged to have ended.
2025Canada loses status
Canada loses its measles elimination status; the US records 2,289 cases.
2 November 2026First New York death
A child dies, New York's first measles death in more than 30 years.
13 November 2026Toll reaches 10
New deaths in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
What happens next
The Pan American Health Organization's decision on whether the US remains measles-free is expected on Tuesday, US time, Wednesday AWST. The CDC has not said when its count will be updated or when a standard definition of a measles death will be agreed.
Sources
- VNN
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