Pennsylvania reports third apparent measles-related death

A 40-year-old Pennsylvania woman with serious lung disease has died from apparent measles-related complications, local officials said, marking the state’s third reported death linked to a widening outbreak if testing confirms the infection.

The woman died at home Saturday morning in Jefferson County and was pronounced dead shortly before 8 a.m., according to Jason Stiver, chief deputy coroner and public relations officer for the county. She was unvaccinated and had significant underlying health problems, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

“She did have a pretty extensive medical history,” Stiver told NBC News. “She was on oxygen 24/7.”

Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong said the woman died from complications associated with measles. State health officials are testing a nasal swab to confirm the infection, with results expected within days. Furlong told CBS News he was “110 percent” sure the death was associated with measles, citing her symptoms and exposure to a confirmed case.

The woman had what officials described as classic measles symptoms, including fever and a rash. Stiver said she lived with others who had similar symptoms and had direct contact with a family member in another household who had been laboratory-confirmed to have measles. Furlong said the contact was a relative and neighbor, and that the woman’s husband also became sick but recovered.

“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 in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. We ask that the public and media respect their privacy as they mourn the loss of their loved one.”

The woman had not sought medical care for the apparent infection, The Guardian reported, citing Furlong. “They were going to, but obviously got to the point where it turned to the worst and ultimately led to her death,” he said.

Pennsylvania officials previously reported two measles-related deaths in Lancaster County. NBC News reported that both were infants, including one baby who died at birth after his infected mother went into labor a month early.

As of Monday, Pennsylvania had reported 693 measles cases this year, including 99 in the past week. CBS News reported that Lancaster County accounts for nearly half of the state’s cases, while infections have been reported in 38 counties. In western Pennsylvania, cases have been reported in Armstrong, Indiana, Mercer and Westmoreland counties.

The outbreak comes as the United States is experiencing its largest measles surge in decades. The CDC has reported more than 3,200 confirmed cases nationally this year, with NBC News citing 3,294 cases. In addition to the Pennsylvania deaths, NBC News reported three other measles-related deaths in 2025: one adult in New Mexico and two young girls in Texas, where an outbreak spread to at least 762 people.

Federal and state officials have differed over reporting and assistance. NBC News reported that the CDC has not acknowledged the Pennsylvania deaths in its tally. A Pennsylvania Health Department spokesperson said the agency informed the CDC on Monday that it was investigating the Jefferson County death, which a CDC spokesperson confirmed. CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz said Pennsylvania had not requested CDC assistance, while the state said it maintains a strong working relationship with CDC staff and will continue to evaluate whether more support is needed.

The Guardian reported that the CDC changed how it counts measles deaths, now relying on National Center for Health Statistics data. An HHS spokesperson, Emily Hilliard, said the CDC “will report measles deaths if and when the National Center for Health Statistics reports measles as the underlying cause of death.” Debra Houry, a former CDC chief medical officer, called the change “puzzling” and said the system is “not meant to confirm an individual case.”

Health officials and doctors urged prevention. Stiver said measles is highly contagious and can cause serious respiratory illness, hospitalization and, rarely, death. Pittsburgh pediatrician Dr. Joe Aracri said Allegheny County is not in an outbreak and there is “no need to get the vaccine early,” but urged families to call a doctor before arriving at a hospital or office if exposure is suspected.

Across Pennsylvania, 93% of kindergarteners are vaccinated, CBS News reported, below the roughly 95% level associated with herd immunity. More than 46,000 MMR vaccine doses were used in August, compared with about 25,000 in a normal month.