Wisconsin Reports First Measles Death Since 1990, an Infant in Southwestern Outbreak

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said an infant died of measles on Thursday, November 5, 2026, the state's first measles death since 1990. Wisconsin has 431 cases and nine hospitalizations, and the state now recommends early MMR doses for some infants.

An infant in southwestern Wisconsin has died of measles, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The department tied the death to the ongoing measles outbreak in southwestern Wisconsin. It is the state's first measles death since 1990, and a coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death. The department said it is releasing no further information, including where the death happened, to protect the privacy of the child and family.

Health Secretary Kirsten Johnson described it as the first death of an infant tied to a measles outbreak in Wisconsin in many years.

Outbreak Growth in Wisconsin

As of Thursday, Wisconsin had confirmed 431 measles cases and nine related hospitalizations. That is the highest case count in the state in more than 35 years. All but three of the patients were unvaccinated. The total was 335 on Oct. 27, so nearly 100 patients were added in about one week.

National Context

The infant's death is the third measles-related death reported in the U.S. that week. State health department data show eight measles-associated deaths this year in the U.S., the highest toll since 1991. Wisconsin joins Pennsylvania and New York as states reporting measles deaths in 2026. The CDC has counted 4,852 measles cases nationwide this year.

Vaccination Response

The state now recommends an early MMR dose for infants 6 to 11 months old who face higher exposure risk because of the outbreak, as announced by Dr. Ryan Westergaard. The usual first dose comes after a child's first birthday. Since Aug. 1, the state has delivered 2,000 MMR doses to local health departments in affected areas, and more than 42,000 doses have been administered statewide.

The CDC recommends two MMR doses, at ages 12 to 15 months and between 4 and 6 years. Two doses are 97% effective at preventing measles, and a single dose is 93% effective.