A Wisconsin infant has died from measles, the state’s first measles-related death in 36 years, the Department of Health Services said Thursday.
The child died in southwestern Wisconsin. Officials did not share a more specific location or further details, citing the family’s privacy. The coroner identified measles as the immediate cause of death.
“It is with a heavy heart we are reporting the first death of an infant connected with a measles outbreak in Wisconsin in many years,” state Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson said. “My heart is broken for the family.”
Johnson said the death of any child is tragic, particularly when caused by a disease that can be prevented with a vaccine. She urged residents to consider their risk and take steps to protect themselves and their families.
Measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling. Children under 5, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of serious illness, though anyone can become severely ill.
Wisconsin has recorded 431 measles cases across 13 counties this year, the state’s highest total in more than 35 years. Nine people have been hospitalized with severe symptoms.
State officials are urging residents to take steps to prevent the disease and protect their communities. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent measles, they said. Federal health officials have also described the MMR vaccine as the most effective protection against the disease.
The Wisconsin death comes days after a child in Lewis County, New York, died in what was the state’s first known measles-related death in more than 30 years. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was heartbroken by the news and expressed sympathy for the child’s family and loved ones.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported four measles-associated deaths nationwide this year, though state health departments have reported a higher number. Pennsylvania officials have confirmed six such deaths in 2026 and are investigating another reported death that has not yet met the state’s criteria for classification as measles-related.
