How many measles cases and hospitalizations had Wisconsin reported by November 3?

Wisconsin had reported 431 cases across 13 counties, with nine people hospitalized for severe symptoms. State epidemiologist Ryan Westergaard cautioned that the case count was almost certainly an underestimate because not everyone infected is tested or comes to public health officials’ attention.

Why did CDC measles death figures differ from state reports?

The CDC had recorded four measles-related deaths this year without naming the states. The difference followed a policy shift to using National Center for Health Statistics mortality data instead of relying on figures from state health departments.

Wisconsin reports infant death linked to measles outbreak

Q: What did Wisconsin officials say about the infant’s measles-related death?

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said the coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death. The department declined to release further details to protect the family’s privacy.

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Summary

An infant died in connection with Wisconsin’s measles outbreak, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said on Thursday. The coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death, but officials withheld further details to protect the family’s privacy. Wisconsin had reported 431 cases across 13 counties as of November 3, and nine people had been hospitalized. State officials said they were responding with case tracking, testing and vaccination efforts.

Key Facts

State epidemiologist Ryan Westergaard said Wisconsin had not seen this many measles cases in more than 35 years.
Westergaard said the 431 identified cases were almost certainly an underestimate because some infected people are not tested or do not come to public health officials’ attention.
The CDC had recorded four measles-related deaths this year but did not identify the states where they occurred.
The CDC switched to National Center for Health Statistics mortality data to track measles deaths, replacing its earlier reliance on state health department figures.

By Reuters

Published Nov 6, 2026 10:45 am KST

A flyer is displayed at a Pennsylvania Department of Health measles vaccination clinic located in Lancaster County in Peach Bottom, Pa., Oct. 20. AP-Yonhap

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said on Thursday that an infant had died in connection with the ongoing measles outbreak in the state.

The coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death, the department said, declining to release further details to protect the family's privacy.

The death comes as the United States faces its highest number of measles cases in decades, fueled by outbreaks in several states and declining childhood vaccination rates in some communities.

Wisconsin had reported 431 cases across 13 counties as of November 3, with nine people hospitalized for severe symptoms.

"This is the largest number of measles cases we've seen in Wisconsin in more than 35 years," state epidemiologist Ryan Westergaard said in a media call.

"The 431 cases we've identified are almost certainly an underestimate. Not everyone who becomes infected gets tested or comes to the attention of public health," he added.

State health officials said they have worked with local and Tribal health departments to respond to the outbreak through case tracking, testing and vaccination efforts.

The Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to Reuters for comment.

On Wednesday, Pennsylvania health officials reported the state's sixth measles-associated death this year. While New York state reported its first measles-associated child death earlier this week.

However, the CDC has recorded four measles-related deaths this year but did not name the states where they occurred.

The gap in numbers follows a policy shift under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with the CDC switching to the National Center for Health Statistics' mortality data to track measles deaths, replacing its earlier reliance on state health departments' figures.

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