Home · Health · Oct 5 archive
Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak Surpasses 1,000 Cases
Confirmed
In Short: The Pennsylvania measles outbreak, which began in late April, continues to grow, surpassing South Carolina's previous record of 997 cases earlier this year.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the total number of cases has reached 1,004, with 198 hospitalizations and five deaths.
Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease expert at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, warned that the outbreak could persist for another three to six months.
The outbreak is centered in the northwestern part of the state, with Lancaster County reporting the highest number of cases at 391, followed by Mifflin County with 118.
Health officials noted that nearly a third of the cases have been in children, with 18% requiring hospitalization.
Dr. Goldman emphasized that the outbreak could occur in any county with a large percentage of unvaccinated individuals.
Despite an increase in vaccinations, the number of cases continues to rise, with only four cases reported among vaccinated individuals.
The CDC reported 3,569 confirmed measles infections nationwide this year, with Pennsylvania leading the count.
Health Secretary Robert F. stated that the vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles for life after two doses.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported the death of an unvaccinated resident of Lancaster County who tested positive for measles, marking the fifth measles-associated death in the state since August.
What this adds
The CDC has recognized only two measles deaths this year, but Pennsylvania officials count four.
The outbreak in Pennsylvania is the largest in the U.S., surpassing South Carolina's outbreak earlier this year.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 27 new cases since Oct. 2.
Background
The CDC has updated its website to show two measles deaths in the U.S., but Pennsylvania officials count four.
What's confirmed
- On Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 1,004 measles cases, with 198 hospitalizations.
- Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is now the largest in the U.S.
What's still developing
- Pennsylvania’s outbreak, which began in late April, shows no sign of slowing.
- “One of the more common things that the measles virus can do is cause hepatitis or infection of the liver,” Shirey said.
- “In some of these cases, it’s a child who can’t recognize their own mother, who’s disoriented and confused,” Shirey said.
- According to an NBC News investigation, 88.5% of kindergartners in 2024 had the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- “There’s nothing special about Lancaster. The exact same thing could happen in any county in the country that has a large percentage of unvaccinated people,” Goldman said.
- The outbreak in South Carolina, which ended in April, was previously the largest in approximately 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- On Monday, the state surpassed South Carolina’s outbreak from earlier this year, which topped out at 997.
- “These children will feel very sick, very nauseous, with abdominal pain and vomiting, and they can’t take a bottle or can’t keep food or liquid down.” Other children are developing severe and irreversible neurological damage because of brain inflammation, or encephalitis, Shirey said.
- The total number of cases in the Philadelphia region is 95, with the large majority being in Chester County: Across the Commonwealth, there are 39 counties with confirmed measles cases.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized only two deaths associated with measles this year, although it hasn’t identified in which states they occurred or when.
- “We are deeply saddened to hear of another death in Pennsylvania,” Emily Hilliard, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement, adding that Health Secretary Robert F.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health didn’t report when the individual died.