Pennsylvania has confirmed two additional measles-associated deaths, bringing the state's total to four for 2026. This outbreak is now the worst in Pennsylvania in over three decades. The last time the United States tallied four measles deaths in one year was in 1992. Last year, the U.S. recorded three measles deaths, with two in Texas and one in New Mexico. Overall, nearly 700 people have been sickened by measles in Pennsylvania this year across 38 counties.
The two most recent deaths involved an unvaccinated individual from Mifflin County and another unvaccinated person from Jefferson County. The Mifflin County coroner reported the death of an 18-year-old due to acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a severe neurological complication of measles. The Jefferson County coroner reported the death of a 40-year-old woman who had severe respiratory conditions and died of respiratory failure after showing signs of measles, with a postmortem test indicating a probable measles case. Pennsylvania health officials have stated they will not release further details to protect privacy, but stressed that both individuals were unvaccinated.
Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health, Dr. Debra Bogen, expressed condolences to the families and highlighted the state's commitment to controlling the outbreak. She emphasized the importance of the MMR vaccine, which offers 97% lifetime protection after two doses, in preventing measles outbreaks. Earlier in the year, two infant deaths in Lancaster County were also attributed to measles. The Department of Health defines a "measles-associated death" as one occurring within 30 days of symptom onset in a person with clinical evidence and a positive lab test, not due to an unrelated cause.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious health problems, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with approximately 20% of infected individuals requiring hospitalization. While measles-associated deaths are rare, historical data indicates they occur in one to three patients per 1,000 cases. The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Early symptoms, such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, can resemble other respiratory infections, making early medical consultation crucial for potential exposure.
