A child in New York state's Lewis County has died from measles, marking the first measles-associated death in the state in more than 30 years, officials announced. The incident occurs amid an ongoing measles outbreak, prompting renewed calls for vaccination and public health measures.
Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her grief, stating, "As a mother and grandmother, I cannot imagine what this family is going through. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this child." She emphasized that measles is highly contagious and that vaccination remains the most effective protection against the disease. "This is New York’s first measles-related death in 30 years, a devastating reminder of what’s at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress in protecting Americans from preventable illnesses," Hochul added, vowing that New York would continue to support proven public health measures.
The New York State Department of Health confirmed the child's death, extending condolences to the family and requesting privacy. The department stated it is collaborating with county health departments and local partners to offer the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to unvaccinated individuals and to monitor reported cases. As of October 24, New York had recorded 178 measles cases for the year, with 170 cases outside New York City and eight within the city.
State health officials urged New Yorkers to ensure they are up-to-date on their MMR vaccinations and to be aware of health advisories, especially when traveling with unvaccinated individuals, particularly young children. The department stressed that measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications and death, reiterating that vaccination is the "best protection against measles."
Four weeks prior to this death, Governor Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency in response to the measles outbreak across parts of New York and neighboring states. This declaration aimed to expand the pool of individuals eligible to administer measles vaccines and facilitate quicker access to additional resources. The governor had also indicated plans to seek federal assistance to combat the outbreak. The CDC continues to recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine for children, citing that two doses offer the best protection against measles.