A baby in Wisconsin has died from measles, the 3rd such US death this week

An infant in Wisconsin has died from measles, the first such death in the state since 1990—36 years ago.

The coroner listed the immediate cause of death as measles, according to a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). To protect the child’s and family’s privacy, DHS said it will not release additional information.

“My heart is broken for the family,” said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson, MPH. “Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease.”

Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% protective against infection. Kids as young as six months can receive it.

CDC raises its death total to 4

The loss of this child in Wisconsin marks the third measles-related death reported by a state health department in the United States this week: An infant died in New Yorkand another Pennsylvanian has passed. Reporting by The Washington Post identified the latter as a young mother who had just given birth

At least eight people have died this year in the United States from measles complications, according to states. Three people died from measles complications in 2025. Prior to last year, the most recent US measles death was in 2015.

Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease.

Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added one death to its official tollbringing the total to four. This year, the CDC is not automatically adding measles deaths confirmed by state officials.

Long-term complications of measles

Wisconsin has reported 431 measles cases as of November 3, up from 335 two weeks ago. This is likely an undercount, as not everyone infected seeks medical care.

Also, it’s estimated that, out of every 1,000 unvaccinated kids, between one and three will die from respiratory and neurologic complications of measles. Hence, the death of this child suggests a far higher number of cases.

The total number of cases reported in the United States this year is 4,852, according to the CDC. But, as in Wisconsin, the real number is likely higher.

In addition to death, long-term complications of measles include immune suppression, injury to the lungs, permanent brain damage, and loss of eyesight and hearing.