Unvaccinated Pennsylvania woman dies of measles complications, coroner says

September 14, 2026 at 02:56 AM2 min

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A 40-year-old woman in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania died of measles complications, the county coroner said September 12. It is the third measles-linked death in the state this year amid an outbreak of over 670 cases. The coroner's office is working with the state health department, which has not yet added the death to the official tally.

Key Facts

The woman was unvaccinated and had been exposed to someone with measles, according to Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong.
Pennsylvania has reported over 670 measles cases and 124 hospitalizations across 37 counties this year.
The preliminary death certificate lists respiratory failure due to suspected measles as the immediate cause of death.
The woman had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and required supplemental oxygen at all times.
Pennsylvania had not reported a measles death in 35 years before this year's three deaths.

The Jefferson County Death

Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong announced the death in a news release on September 12, calling it a heartbreaking loss for the family. Chief Deputy Coroner Jason Stiver said the tragedy highlights that measles should not be taken lightly. The New York Times obtained a preliminary death certificate indicating the woman had several chronic medical conditions, including COPD. The death certificate listed respiratory failure due to suspected measles as the immediate cause of death. Furlong told the Times the measles case had not yet been confirmed by testing, but the woman was unvaccinated and had been exposed to someone with measles.

Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak

Pennsylvania is experiencing an explosive measles outbreak with over 670 cases and 124 hospitalizations across 37 counties. All three measles-linked deaths in the US this year have occurred in Pennsylvania. Prior to these deaths, Pennsylvania had not reported a measles death in 35 years. The state health department has not yet added the Jefferson County death to its official outbreak tally. The health department provided a statement to the Washington Post saying it was aware of the case.