Pennsylvania is facing a serious measles outbreak after health officials confirmed two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County, marking the first measles-related fatalities in the state in 35 years and the first reported measles deaths in the United States in 2026.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed the deaths on August 25. Both people were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County. Officials have not released their ages or other identifying details, citing privacy concerns for the individuals and their families.
The deaths come as Pennsylvania continues to deal with an expanding outbreak and as measles cases across the United States reach their highest level in decades.
Measles Deaths Pennsylvania: What Officials Confirmed
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said the two deaths were associated with measles and involved unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County.
The state said the fatalities are the first measles-related deaths recorded in Pennsylvania since 1991. Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen expressed condolences to the families and warned that many people may underestimate measles because the disease had been largely eliminated from Pennsylvania for more than three decades.
State officials said Pennsylvania had recorded 393 confirmed measles cases across 28 counties as of August 25. The outbreak began in April and has prompted a broader public-health response involving vaccination clinics, schools and healthcare providers.
Lancaster County Remains a Major Focus of the Outbreak
Lancaster County has emerged as the center of Pennsylvania’s current measles activity. The county is also home to a large Amish population, where vaccination coverage has historically been lower than the level generally needed to prevent sustained measles transmission.
However, Pennsylvania officials have cautioned against viewing the outbreak as limited to one community. Measles is extremely contagious and can spread quickly when it reaches groups with insufficient immunity.
The virus spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. According to Pennsylvania health officials, measles can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for as long as two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Pennsylvania Expands Vaccination Efforts
Following the deaths, Pennsylvania officials announced an expanded response aimed at increasing vaccination coverage and limiting additional transmission.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said it has held 91 measles vaccination pop-up clinics since the outbreak began and has administered more than 4,100 MMR vaccinations through those clinics. Officials are planning another 40 pop-up clinics in the coming weeks.
The state is also working with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, school nurses and healthcare providers to prepare schools and communities for additional cases.
Health officials emphasize that vaccination remains the strongest protection against measles. Pennsylvania says two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine provide about 97% protection against measles.
Why Measles Can Become Dangerous
Measles is often associated with fever and a distinctive rash, but the infection can lead to severe complications.
Pennsylvania health officials say measles can cause pneumonia and brain swelling, while nearly 20% of people who contract measles may require hospitalization. The state also notes that measles-related death, although uncommon, can occur in roughly one to three patients per 1,000 cases.
Early symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red or watery eyes
- A rash that generally appears several days after the initial symptoms
Symptoms can develop anywhere from 7 to 21 days after exposure, making monitoring and timely medical advice important following a known exposure.
Anyone who believes they have been exposed and develops symptoms should contact a healthcare provider before arriving at a medical facility so appropriate precautions can be taken.
U.S. Measles Cases Continue to Rise
The Pennsylvania deaths are part of a much larger resurgence of measles across the United States.
The CDC reported 2,777 confirmed measles cases in the United States in 2026 as of August 20, making this the highest annual number of reported U.S. measles cases in more than three decades. The figure has already surpassed the 2,289 confirmed cases reported during all of 2025.
The two Pennsylvania fatalities are also significant because measles deaths had become extremely uncommon in the United States after widespread vaccination dramatically reduced transmission.
The Pennsylvania deaths bring the number of reported U.S. measles-associated deaths since the beginning of 2025 to five, according to reporting based on state and federal health information.
Vaccination Coverage Is a Key Concern
Public-health experts have repeatedly emphasized that measles requires very high vaccination coverage to prevent outbreaks.
The CDC says communities generally need vaccination coverage above 95% to maintain strong community protection. National MMR coverage among kindergarteners has fallen below that level, creating pockets where the virus can spread more easily.
Pennsylvania’s current outbreak illustrates the consequences of gaps in immunity. When measles enters a community with a substantial number of people who are not immune, infections can multiply rapidly.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health continues to encourage residents to review their vaccination records and speak with healthcare professionals if they are unsure whether they are adequately protected.
What Pennsylvania Residents Should Know
The confirmation of measles deaths does not mean that every person exposed to the virus will develop severe disease. However, measles is highly contagious, and unvaccinated people face a substantially higher risk of infection and complications.
People who are unsure about their vaccination status should consult a healthcare professional. Those who may have been exposed should watch for symptoms during the potential incubation period and seek medical guidance if symptoms develop.
Pennsylvania’s health department has also established a public-health hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258) for people seeking information about measles exposure or symptoms.
Why the Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Matter
The two deaths represent a major warning for Pennsylvania and the country because measles had become a disease that many Americans rarely encountered.
The current outbreak demonstrates that elimination does not mean the disease can never return. Continued vaccination and rapid public-health action remain essential to preventing transmission and protecting people who are particularly vulnerable to serious complications.
Pennsylvania officials are now focused on expanding access to vaccination, supporting schools and healthcare providers, identifying infections and communicating reliable information as the outbreak continues.
The latest confirmed deaths underscore the seriousness of the situation, but health officials stress that measles is preventable and that vaccination remains the best available protection.
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