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Pennsylvania Reports 1,260 Measles Cases Amid Outbreak
· Confirmed
In Short: Pennsylvania is facing its worst measles outbreak in three decades, with the state health department reporting 1,260 cases as of Friday.
Pennsylvania is facing its worst measles outbreak in three decades, with the state health department reporting 1,260 cases as of Friday. The outbreak, which began in late April, has escalated to alarming levels, prompting federal intervention and significant public health concerns.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 4,410 confirmed measles cases in the United States, with Pennsylvania accounting for a significant portion of these cases. The outbreak has led to five confirmed deaths and one possible death under investigation, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Health officials are particularly concerned about the impact of the measles outbreak on pregnant women. Since April, the health department has reported 66 cases of measles in pregnant women, leading to the first congenital measles cases in decades. Congenital measles occurs when a pregnant woman becomes infected and gives birth to a baby with measles, potentially leading to serious health issues for newborns, including brain inflammation and death.
The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted while the baby is still in the womb. Pregnant women who are not immune and are exposed to measles should receive an immunoglobulin shot within six days of exposure to lessen the chances or severity of infection. Health officials emphasize that the best way to prevent measles during pregnancy is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine before pregnancy.
The outbreak has also led to a rise in cases of low birth weight, premature delivery, and stillbirths among newborns. Health officials are urging women to receive the MMR vaccine before pregnancy to protect against measles and congenital measles, which is on the rise again.
In response to the outbreak, the federal government is providing nearly $4 million in one-time funding to support Pennsylvania's measles response through most of 2027. A CDC 'disease detective' is expected to arrive in Pennsylvania this week to assist in containing the outbreak.
The outbreak has been particularly severe in areas with low vaccination rates, such as Amish communities in Lancaster County. Door-to-door and community outreach efforts are underway to spread vaccination awareness and combat misinformation.
Health officials are working to address the outbreak while also addressing concerns about privacy and confidentiality. A health department spokesperson told NBC News that state law prohibits sharing information about outcomes from pregnancies of infected mothers, and health officials have not shared the exact number of congenital measles cases in Pennsylvania.
What this adds
The outbreak has led to the first congenital measles cases in decades, highlighting the severe impact of the disease on newborns.
The federal government is providing nearly $4 million in funding to support Pennsylvania's measles response through most of 2027.
Health officials are urging women to receive the MMR vaccine before pregnancy to prevent measles and congenital measles.
Background
New polls show Democrats maintaining leads in several key Pennsylvania congressional districts.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sending a 'disease detective' to Pennsylvania to help curb the state's growing measles outbreak, a CDC spokesperson said Thursday.
What's confirmed
- Pennsylvania is facing its worst measles outbreak in three decades, with the state health department reporting 1,260 cases as of Friday. The outbreak, which began in late April, has escalated to alarming levels, prompting federal intervention and significant public health concerns.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 4,410 confirmed measles cases in the United States, with Pennsylvania accounting for a significant portion of these cases. The outbreak has led to five confirmed deaths and one possible death under investigation, highlighting the severity of the situation.
- Health officials are particularly concerned about the impact of the measles outbreak on pregnant women. Since April, the health department has reported 66 cases of measles in pregnant women, leading to the first congenital measles cases in decades. Congenital measles occurs when a pregnant woman becomes infected and gives birth to a baby with measles, potentially leading to serious health issues for newborns, including brain inflammation and death.
- The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted while the baby is still in the womb. Pregnant women who are not immune and are exposed to measles should receive an immunoglobulin shot within six days of exposure to lessen the chances or severity of infection. Health officials emphasize that the best way to prevent measles during pregnancy is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine before pregnancy.
- The outbreak has also led to a rise in cases of low birth weight, premature delivery, and stillbirths among newborns. Health officials are urging women to receive the MMR vaccine before pregnancy to protect against measles and congenital measles, which is on the rise again.
- In response to the outbreak, the federal government is providing nearly $4 million in one-time funding to support Pennsylvania's measles response through most of 2027. A CDC 'disease detective' is expected to arrive in Pennsylvania this week to assist in containing the outbreak.
- The outbreak has been particularly severe in areas with low vaccination rates, such as Amish communities in Lancaster County. Door-to-door and community outreach efforts are underway to spread vaccination awareness and combat misinformation.
- Health officials are working to address the outbreak while also addressing concerns about privacy and confidentiality. A health department spokesperson told NBC News that state law prohibits sharing information about outcomes from pregnancies of infected mothers, and health officials have not shared the exact number of congenital measles cases in Pennsylvania.
What's still developing
- In 2000, the United States eliminated continuous, local transmission of measles, an achievement built upon widespread vaccination.
- "It was virtually unheard of for someone to reach childbearing age and not have been naturally infected with measles," the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's noted last month.
- MORE: This AI model is trained to predict cancer survival from a single photo Measles during pregnancy can lead to babies with low birth weights, premature delivery and still birth.
- Pennsylvania reported 43 additional measles cases Friday, bringing the statewide total to 1,260 this year as the federal government prepares to send more resources to help contain the outbreak.
- “They were politicizing the outbreak there and didn’t want it, or they didn’t want help from the Trump administration.” HHS said a CDC “disease detective” was expected to arrive in Pennsylvania this week.
- Shapiro criticized Kennedy for previously questioning deaths Pennsylvania officials have associated with measles.
- “Why. Because people are listening to actual medical experts, not people who are spewing nonsense in Washington, D.C.,” Shapiro said.
- Measles is a highly contagious illness that can lead to the hospitalisation or death of a person, with up to nine out of 10 people who are not vaccinated likely to fall sick, the Australian Centre for Disease Control says.
- The Pennsylvania Health Department said none of the victims was vaccinated, and Franklin County officials reported the 39-year-old had a previous measles diagnosis and "several underlying conditions".
- "They don't like governments telling them what to do … Amish don't subscribe to the national health insurance," Professor Mitchell said.
- In Chester County, and parts of the neighbouring Lancaster County, door-to-door and community outreach efforts are underway to spread vaccination awareness. ( AP: Matt Rourke ) Ms Franklin described the Amish as "vaccine hesitant", but does not treat them as unique from the non-Amish who choose not to be vaccinated according to political or religious beliefs.
- The outbreak is the largest of multiple outbreaks across the US, happening amid an uproar over Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's controversial vaccine stance.