A 40-year-old woman in Pennsylvania has died of complications associated with measles, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said Sunday.
In a statement, Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong said the woman died on Saturday.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for the family and an unfortunate reminder that measles can be a serious and potentially life-threatening disease,” Furlong said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”
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No additional identifying information will be provided, the coroner’s office said, out of respect for the woman and her family.
This is the third measles-related death the state of Pennsylvania has seen this year, as it, as well as the nation as a whole, navigates the outbreak of a disease once thought to be eliminated.
“Many people associate measles with a childhood illness, but it can lead to severe complications in individuals of any age,” Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Jason Stiver said. “Measles is highly contagious and can result in serious respiratory illness, hospitalization, and in rare cases like this, death. We encourage residents to stay informed, follow guidance from public health officials, and take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their families.”
Cases of severe illness from measles are still uncommon, Stiver said, but “this tragedy highlights that measles should not be taken lightly.”
“Public health measures, early recognition of symptoms, and consultation with health care providers are important tools in protecting our community,” Stiver said.
The Coroner’s Office is currently working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health on the case.
Furlong told Straight Arrow in an interview Sunday that the Jefferson County woman who died had other health conditions that she had been dealing with for years, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, asthma, anemia and postpartum myocardial infarction. She was also using supplemental oxygen 24 hours a day.
The woman was not vaccinated for measles, Furlong said. Before she died, she had not been tested, but experienced every symptom of the illness, including a fever, cough, white spots on her tongue and mouth, and a rash.
She also had been exposed to measles by people she knew who had it, Furlong said.
Furlong later confirmed to Straight Arrow the woman tested positive on a post mortem measles test.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said Friday there have been 676 measles cases confirmed across 37 counties in 2026, as well as 124 hospitalizations.
Only four of those cases were among people who were vaccinated, according to the health department.
In the U.S., 3,294 confirmed measles cases have been reported this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. A total of 2,289 confirmed measles cases were reported in 2025. In 93% of the 2025 cases, the people involved were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
As Straight Arrow previously reported, health officials believe waning vaccination rates and misinformation campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic helped contribute to the resurgence of measles.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective for preventing measles, the CDC said, while one dose is 93% effective.
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