Pennsylvania has reported its sixth measles-related death of 2026, involving a 39-year-old woman in Franklin County. State health officials are reviewing the case as the outbreak continues to spread across the state.The Franklin County Coroner’s Office said it investigated the woman’s death on October 10. In a statement released on October 12, the office said the case met Pennsylvania’s definition of a measles-associated death. The woman’s identity and further medical details have not been disclosed to protect her family’s privacy. According to NBC News, a spokesperson for the coroner’s office said the woman was unvaccinated and that the “primary cause of death was a probable acute cardiac event due to possible complications of the measles.” The Pennsylvania Department of Health has launched a review of the reported death.Pennsylvania Reports Sixth Measles-Related DeathThe latest death comes as Pennsylvania continues to grapple with a substantial measles outbreak. State health department figures updated on October 9 recorded 1,136 cases across the state in 2026, among which 219 people required hospitalisation.The first two deaths announced in the state in late August were infants, which were both in Lancaster County, which majority of cases are concentrated. A pregnant woman with measles went into labor a month early. The baby died shortly after birth. The other was a 6-week-old who had a rare genetic condition.A 40-year-old woman with asthma and severe lung disease died in Jefferson County. An 18-year-old Mifflin County resident died “due to complications of measles,” specifically a rare and severe neurological condition that causes inflammation in the brain.The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in early October that the fifth death occurred in a 20-year-old woman with a compromised immune system because of leukemia.The vast majority of people diagnosed with measles are unvaccinated. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, less than 1% of cases there occurred in people who were fully vaccinated.Also read: US Health Secretary Wants To Expand Vaccine Injury Reporting: Benefits And Risks ExplainedPennsylvania And The CDC Report Different Death CountsPennsylvania has classified six deaths as measles-associated this year, while the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported two measles-associated deaths.The difference reflects the need for consistent definitions and review procedures. Pennsylvania defines a measles-associated death as one occurring within 30 days of symptom onset in a person with clinical evidence of measles and a positive laboratory test, provided the death is not due to an unrelated cause.Additional information, including exposure history and medical records, may also be considered. The CDC and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists have been working on standardised definition for classifying measles-related deaths.Also read: Nearly 4,000 Measles Cases In US: CDC Director Says MMR Vaccine Is ‘Absolutely Safe’ Measles Death Prevention Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after the person has left.Symptoms generally begin seven to 14 days after exposure, although they can take up to 21 days to appear. Early signs include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a characteristic rash.Although many people recover, measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Babies, young children and people with weak immune systems are vulnerable to severe measles complications. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles and its complications. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are approximately 97% effective against measles.Pennsylvania health authorities have been expanding vaccination clinics and outreach in affected communities. More than 53,000 MMR doses were administered across the state in September, according to the health department.The Franklin County Coroner’s Office urged residents and healthcare professionals to follow public health guidance.“We strongly encourage our medical community, first responders and the public to follow the precautions set forth by the PA Department of Health and Center for Disease Control,” the office said. “Caution and vigilance are key to our success in the treatment of this disease and its after affects.”