A child in New York has died after contracting measles, marking the state's first measles-associated death in more than 30 years, health officials announced Monday. The news comes as New York remains under a state disaster emergency declared by Governor Kathy Hochul in October in response to rising measles cases in rural communities across New York and neighboring states. "I'm heartbroken to learn that a child in Lewis County has died from measles," Hochul wrote on X Monday.
"My heart goes out to their family and everyone who knew and loved them." The Lewis County Public Health Department reported 15 confirmed measles cases in the county as of October 14, including two new cases. All 15 involved unvaccinated individuals, the county notes. It is immediately unclear at the time of publication if the child who died was vaccinated.
Newsweek reached out to the Lewis County Public Health Department for additional information. As of October 24, New York had reported 178 measles cases this year, according to the state health department. Of those, 170 were reported outside New York City.
The state health department said it is working with county health departments and local partners to provide measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations to unvaccinated people who request them. Officials are also monitoring reported cases and conducting investigations, including contact tracing, to help prevent further transmission. Public health experts have warned that measles can spread rapidly in communities with low vaccination rates.
William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, previously told Newsweek. "Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious complications and death. Vaccination is the best protection against measles," the statement said.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People can become infected by breathing in the virus or, less commonly, by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. According to the New York State Department of Health, symptoms typically develop seven to 14 days after infection, although the incubation period can last up to 21 days.
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