A child in Lewis County, New York, has died after contracting measles, marking the state’s first measles-associated death in more than 30 years, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Monday.
The New York State Department of Health confirmed the death but did not release the child’s age or additional details. The case is connected to an ongoing measles outbreak in the state.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was heartbroken by the news and offered condolences to the child’s family.
“Measles is highly contagious, and vaccination remains our best protection against this dangerous disease,” Hochul said. She described the death as a devastating reminder of the risks posed by preventable illnesses and said the state would continue following public health measures to protect residents.
New York has recorded 178 measles cases so far in 2026, according to the state health department. Of those, 170 were reported outside New York City, including 15 in Lewis County. Hochul declared the outbreak a state emergency in October.
The outbreak is part of a wider increase in measles cases across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 4,852 cases nationwide as of Oct. 30.
Neighboring Pennsylvania has also been dealing with a major outbreak. As of Monday, the state had reported 1,433 cases, 269 hospitalizations and 6 deaths, according to its Department of Health.
Health officials are urging residents to ensure they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations. Two doses of the vaccine provide approximately 97% protection against measles.