Second Child Dies in Wisconsin Measles Outbreak as State Cases Reach 649
Wisconsin health officials confirmed on Friday that a second child has died in the state’s measles outbreak — the second pediatric death in as many weeks — as cases climb to 649, the highest count in Wisconsin in more than 35 years.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Grant County Health Department announced the death on November 13, 2026. The child lived in Grant County, in the state’s southwestern corner, where more than a third of the state’s cases have been reported. Officials said they would release no additional information about the child or the family to protect their privacy.
The death follows the first pediatric measles death in Wisconsin since 1990, confirmed just last week in the same region — two children dead within weeks after three decades without a single pediatric measles fatality in the state.
An Outbreak Still Growing
Wisconsin has reported 649 measles cases across 20 counties since the outbreak began in August 2026, including 174 new infections over the past week alone — more than any other state in the country during that period.
State epidemiologist Dr. Ryan Westergaard has warned that the official count understates the true spread, estimating the real number of infections is well over 1,000 because of underreporting. He has linked the surge to low childhood vaccination rates — Wisconsin typically recorded zero to two measles cases a year before the pandemic — and warned the outbreak is likely to worsen.
A National Picture Getting Worse
The Wisconsin deaths are part of a broader national resurgence. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 5,412 measles cases across the country as of November 12, an increase of 230 from its previous update, and confirmed six measles-related deaths in the United States this year.
A second death reported this week occurred in Pennsylvania, which remains mired in the country’s largest outbreak of 2026, with 1,542 infections confirmed this year and 61 new cases this week.
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The Pan American Health Organization is separately reviewing whether measles has circulated continuously for at least a year in the United States and Mexico — a finding that could cost the U.S. its elimination status. A decision is expected next week.
Why This Matters
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known and can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and death, particularly in young children. The two-dose MMR vaccine is about 97 percent effective and provides lifelong protection, with routine doses at 12 to 15 months and at 4 to 6 years.
Wisconsin now recommends an earlier MMR dose for infants aged 6 to 11 months in high-exposure communities, and state health officer Paula Tran has urged families to vaccinate to protect people who cannot be vaccinated themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many measles cases has Wisconsin reported in 2026?
649 across 20 counties since the outbreak began in August — the highest count in Wisconsin in more than 35 years.
How many children have died in the Wisconsin outbreak?
Two, both in the fall of 2026. The first was Wisconsin’s first pediatric measles death since 1990.
How effective is the measles vaccine?
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective and provide lifelong protection. An early dose is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months in high-exposure communities.
How many measles cases are there in the United States?
5,412 as of November 12, 2026, with six measles-related deaths confirmed this year.
Wisconsin’s outbreak shows no sign of slowing, and health officials say vaccination remains the only reliable way to stop it. The Pan American Health Organization’s decision on U.S. elimination status is expected in the coming week.
