A coroner’s office in Pennsylvania reported the measles-related death of a 40-year-old unvaccinated woman on Sunday, arriving amid a growing outbreak across the state. The victim, a resident of Jefferson County, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026, due to complications linked to measles, according to a statement from the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. Coroner Greg Furlong expressed condolences over the loss, calling it a heartbreaking reminder that measles remains a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. Furlong confirmed that the individual was unvaccinated. The Pennsylvania Department of Health stated that they are investigating the fatality reported by the local coroner. As of Friday, the state health department recorded 676 measles cases statewide, which includes more than 100 new cases over the preceding week. Out of these totals, 124 people have required hospitalization, and nearly all infected individuals are unvaccinated against the virus. The tally of measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania has previously drawn debate from federal health officials, including Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that it had not listed any measles deaths for 2026 on its website as of late last week. CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz stated that the federal agency had not been formally notified of the recent Jefferson County death and mentioned that Pennsylvania has not requested a CDC Epi-Aid team for on-the-ground support. Previously, Pennsylvania’s top health official, Dr. Debra Bogen, noted that her staff held regular meetings with professional personnel at the CDC, countering earlier assertions that local authorities refused to share information following initial mortality reports.
Source: abcnews.com
