Two die in growing Pa. measles outbreak

They were both residents of Lancaster County, where the disease is concentrated.

By JAMES ENGEL
TribLive

Two Pennsylvanians have died from measles as the commonwealth contends with a growing outbreak of the highly contagious disease, according to the state health department.

The two people were residents of Lancaster County — the epicenter of the flare-up — the health department said in a statement. It did not release information about the deceased except that they were unvaccinated.

So far, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists no measles-related deaths in its 2026 data, which was last updated Aug. 21.

That means the two Lancaster County deaths are likely the first two measles fatalities this year in the U.S. — and the first in Pennsylvania in 35 years, according to the health department.

Last year, three people died of the disease, according to the CDC.

Those infected can die from “respiratory and neurological complications” like pneumonia and encephalitis, according to the CDC. It can also severely weaken the immune system among survivors.

Pennsylvania had confirmed nearly 400 cases of measles this year as of Monday, nearly half of which were in Lancaster County.

The grim statistic means Pennsylvania has the third most cases of any state in the U.S. during a larger nationwide outbreak that has infected more than 2,700 so far this year, according to data from the CDC.

Only South Carolina and Utah outpace the Keystone State in confirmed cases.

“My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “Because measles 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.”

The outbreak officially spread to Allegheny County last Thursday, when UPMC confirmed that it had diagnosed a patient with measles at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Experts predicted more cases — and potentially deaths — were likely to follow.

Sinking vaccination rates are largely responsible for the growing rates of the previously mostly eradicated disease.

Herd immunity to measles typically occurs when around 95% of the population is immunized. But in Pennsylvania, that figure was closer to 92% during the 2024-25 school year, according to CDC.

In the United States, the measles vaccine comes in the combination measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot, which is given in two doses.

Among the confirmed measles cases in Pennsylvania this year, none was fully vaccinated.

Those without health insurance may receive the MMR vaccine at the Allegheny County Health Department’s immunization clinic at 425 First Ave. in Downtown Pittsburgh, according to the county.

There is no risk in getting an additional dose of the MMR vaccine for those who are uncertain if they’ve already received one, the county said.