DENMARK, New York (WWNY) – The New York Times is reporting that the Lewis County child who died after contracting measles was an unvaccinated baby boy.The report cited Jeffery Tompkins, the coroner and district attorney of Lewis County, as the source of the information.What the report saysAccording to the article, Tompkins said the 7-month-old boy died Sunday at his home in the town of Denmark. He told the newspaper that the child’s family is Amish.7 News reached out to Tompkins for comment. He referred the station to the county’s spokesperson, who referred 7 News to the state health department. The state health department released no additional information.Babies and vaccinationsThe state health department says the latest guidance issued during this outbreak recommends that infants 6 months and older receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine for protection if they’re at risk of being exposed.“When you have an active outbreak of measles in your community, the first dose of vaccine gets pushed up to 6 months of age. Then you get your regular dose at 12 months of age, and then your other dose at four years of age. So you get that extra dose for the very young,” said Dr. James McDonald, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health.Many people in the Amish community oppose vaccinations for religious or cultural reasons.Health officials’ statementsState and county health officials announced Monday evening that a child in Lewis County died after contracting measles. They said it was New York’s first measles-related death in 30 years.In a statement Tuesday morning, public health extended its sympathy to the family and loved ones of the child.“We ask our community to offer compassion and respect for the family’s privacy during this heartbreaking time,” the statement said.Public health also reminded the public that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against the illness.Governor’s responseGov. Kathy Hochul said Monday evening she was “heartbroken” to learn about the child’s death. She also said it was “a devastating reminder of what’s at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress in protecting Americans from preventable illnesses.”She was likely referring to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, who has prompted confusion and criticism over the MMR vaccine. “In New York, we will continue to stand by proven public health measures and do everything we can to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy,” Hochul said.HHS responseHHS issued the following statement Tuesday:“Our hearts go out to the family mourning this tragic loss. Following New York’s formal request for an Epi-Aid, CDC deployed epidemiologists and other experts to work alongside state health officials on the ground, providing surveillance, data analysis, strategic planning, and other outbreak response support. Secretary Kennedy and CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz continue to make clear that the MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles.”County sees new measles caseOn Tuesday, Lewis County Public Health released its latest information about measles cases in the county. There is one new case, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 16. All of the cases are in people who were not vaccinated.Measles symptomsSymptoms of measles can include:High feverCoughRunny noseRed, watery eyesSymptoms can appear seven to 14 days, and up to 21 days, after a measles infection.A rash can occur three to five days after symptoms become apparent. The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. Small, raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots. The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.In October, Jefferson County Public Health Director Stephen Jennings joined Jeff Cole at the 7NEWS Digital News Desk to talk about prevention, facts about measles that people may not know, and more.You can watch the full interview below.Copyright 2026 WWNY. All rights reserved.
