Pennsylvania Confirms Two Measles-Associated Deaths, First in 35 Years, as Outbreak Tops 393 Cases
核心洞察
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (搜索) confirmed two measles (搜索)-associated deaths in unvaccinated Lancaster County residents, the first measles-related deaths in the Commonwealth in 35 years.
Pennsylvania has identified 393 measles (搜索) cases across 28 counties in 2026, with 72 cases concentrated in the Lancaster-Lebanon region since late April.
The MMR vaccine, administered in two doses, provides 97% lifetime protection against measles (搜索), and state health centers have administered more than 1,300 doses this year.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (搜索) (DOH) has confirmed two measles (搜索)-associated deaths in Pennsylvania, marking the first deaths related to measles within the Commonwealth in 35 years. Both individuals were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, according to the DOH, which declined to release additional identifying details to protect patient and family privacy.
"My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss," said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. "Because measles (搜索) was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don't fully understand the potential severity of the illness. We want to ensure every Pennsylvanian has the information they need to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities."
The deaths come amid a widening statewide outbreak. DOH has confirmed 393 cases in 28 counties thus far in 2026, with the heaviest concentration in the Lancaster-Lebanon region. In 2026 so far, 84 measles (搜索) cases were identified in Pennsylvania, with 72 cases in the Lancaster-Lebanon region alone beginning in late April, including Berks (2), Dauphin (2), Lancaster (41), Lebanon (20), Northumberland (6), and York (1) counties. Earlier in the year, cases were identified in Lancaster (8), Montgomery (3), and Chester (1).
Clinical Severity and Disease Burden
Measles (搜索) is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20% of people who contract measles being hospitalized. Death related to measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.
The disease infects the lungs and breathing passages like the nose, mouth, and throat and spreads throughout the body. It spreads to other people when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, and the virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area.
Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. Because early symptoms look similar to other respiratory viral infections, the DOH advises contacting a health care provider early if someone has these symptoms or may have been exposed.
Vaccination as the Primary Defense
Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best protection against the measles (搜索) virus, as it is 97% effective at preventing a person from ever contracting it. The vaccine has long-proven effectiveness over several decades; since its introduction in the early 1960s, cases and deaths from measles in the U.S. decreased more than 97% compared to the pre-vaccine era.
"As a physician, I want to make sure that people understand that the MMR vaccine is safe and provides the best protection we have against measles (搜索)," said Dr. Bogen.
The Department, along with many partners, is increasing vaccine information and access across the Commonwealth. This year, state health center staff administered more than 1,300 doses of the MMR vaccine to Pennsylvanians. DOH continues to host pop-up MMR vaccine clinics, providing more than 430 doses to residents in the Lancaster-Lebanon region since cases were first identified there in late April.
Public Health Response and Provider Education
Because measles (搜索) was essentially eradicated in the U.S. since 2000, the majority of health care providers have not treated a patient with the disease. To ensure Pennsylvania providers have the information they need, DOH issued multiple Health Alert Network messages outlining the signs and symptoms of measles and reminding clinicians to encourage patients to stay up to date on their vaccinations.
Over the past two weeks, DOH measles (搜索) experts hosted in-person and live, virtual medical briefings to more than 1,000 doctors, nurses, and other health care providers to help them identify and treat patients with measles.
"Pennsylvania health care providers and trusted community partners are integral in the Department of Health's measles (搜索) response," said Dr. Bogen. "These dedicated individuals are answering questions and discussing the importance of getting vaccinated, and in the end, helping keep residents healthy from a potentially life-altering disease."
When the Department of Health is alerted to a new measles (搜索) case in a specific location, local public health staff conduct contact tracing to immediately identify contacts and places exposure may have occurred, and to implement necessary public health action, including public notification, to prevent further spread of the virus. The contact tracing team works around the clock to reach everyone who might have been exposed and to ensure people with measles are isolating while contagious.
At-Risk Populations and Public Information
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (搜索) (CDC), people most at-risk are those who are unvaccinated, infants too young to have received the MMR vaccine, and people from parts of the world where there is low vaccination coverage or where there is circulating measles (搜索).
The Department currently provides school vaccination data at the county and state level. In the next couple of weeks, school-level vaccination information will be available online so families have additional information to make personal health and educational decisions.
People who believe they were exposed to measles (搜索) and are experiencing symptoms should contact their health care provider or call the Department's toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).