Another measles-related death has been reported in Pennsylvania, marking the sixth case in the state this year. Meanwhile, the measles outbreak surged to 1,136 cases in Pennsylvania as of Oct. 10.
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A 39-year-old woman in Franklin County passed away from a measles-related death, the county coroner's office said yesterday (Oct. 12), per NBC News. The Franklin County coroner's office noted the victim had underlying medical issues.
The "primary cause of death was a probable acute cardiac event due to possible complications of the measles," A spokesperson for the county coroner's office told NBC News. They added that the victim had not been vaccinated.
The state's Health Department confirmed they were aware of the latest measles-related death. The organization told NBC News it is "conducting a thorough review of the reported death."
This marks the sixth death in two months as measles cases surge in the state.
The latest joins five previous deaths related to the disease in Pennsylvania. In the southeastern part of the state, two infants passed away from measles-related ailments, with a 40-year-old woman also suffering from the disease dying in Jefferson County and an 18-year-old in Mifflin County also passing away from the disease.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health disclosed the fifth measles-associated death on Sept. 30. The organization added that the victim was from Lancaster County and unvaccinated.
Expert Warns State's Measles Outbreak "Much Worse" Than Reported
Meanwhile, at least one expert believes Pennsylvania's measles outbreak is more serious than the state wants to admit.
"I think we're probably closer to 6,000 cases," pediatrician and director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Paul Offit, told NBC News. "They are vastly underestimating the number of cases. It's much worse."
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, most measles-related deaths are among the unvaccinated. They report that among the fully vaccinated, less than 1% die of measles-related causes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that measles cases have also surged across the United States, with 4,080 cases in 2026. The CDC points out that's the most cause since 1991.
In August, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to reduce the number of required vaccinations for children. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy supported the measure. International health officials are set to determine whether the U.S. and Mexico will keep their measles-free designations next month.
