New York state has recorded its first measles-related death in more than 30 years, officials said on Nov. 2.
“I’m heartbroken to learn that a child in Lewis County has died from measles,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote in a post on X. “My heart goes out to their family and everyone who knew and loved them.”
Jeff Tompkins, the coroner and district attorney in Lewis County, declined to say whether measles is listed on the child’s death certificate.
“All I could pass along at this time is that the deceased is a 7-month-old Amish boy,” Tompkins told The Epoch Times in an email on Nov. 3.
The New York State Department of Health and Lewis County Public Health said that the death was “associated with the ongoing measles outbreak” and extended their condolences to the family of the child.
Officials have not released the child’s vaccination status.
Lewis County Public Health declined to comment, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not respond to a request for comment.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious complications and death. Vaccination is the best protection against measles,” state and county health officials said in their joint statement.
“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. We urge New Yorkers to ensure they are up to date on measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations and speak to their healthcare provider about immunizations.”
The CDC recommends two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine for children, one at about 12 months of age and the second from 4 to 6 years of age. Adults without evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, or rubella should receive one dose, according to the CDC adult vaccine schedule.
Evidence of immunity includes laboratory evidence of measles infection.
The CDC says the best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine.
Measles has been rising in the United States in recent years.
The CDC has reported 4,852 confirmed measles cases across dozens of states in 2026. That’s the highest annual number since 1991.
The CDC has confirmed three deaths from measles this year. Pennsylvania has reported additional deaths. Those deaths are not included in the CDC’s tally while federal officials review death certificates and other data.
The agency is also working with a group of epidemiologists to establish a definition for counting deaths caused by measles.
“CDC is applying a consistent national standard rather than allowing politicians to decide which deaths appear in federal mortality statistics,” Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a Sept. 15 post on X.
“CDC will report measles-caused deaths when the National Center for Health Statistics reports measles as the underlying cause based on death record information submitted by the states.”
Through Oct. 24, New York state logged 178 cases. Through Oct. 14, Lewis County confirmed 15 cases, all among unvaccinated people.
The rising number of cases in the state prompted Hochul to declare a disaster emergency in October, which allows a broader set of healthcare professionals to administer the MMR vaccine and order testing.
