2 people die from measles in Pennsylvania
Two people have died in Pennsylvania from measles, the state health department said Tuesday.
Two individuals have passed away in Pennsylvania due to measles, marking the first such deaths in the state in 35 years, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Both victims were unvaccinated, the health officials noted. Dr. Debra Bogen, the state's secretary of health, expressed her deepest sympathies to the families who are experiencing this unimaginable loss.
The measles outbreak has raised concerns as the disease, once largely eradicated in the Commonwealth for over three decades, is now unfamiliar to many and its severity often underestimated. The number of confirmed measles cases in the U.S. surpassed last year's total by late July, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed.
While last year saw 2,289 recorded measles cases, the current total of 2,777 represents the highest number of cases since 1991, as per CDC data. The CDC recommends that individuals receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first administered between 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 to 6 years old. One dose provides 93% protection against measles, while two doses offer 97% protection.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News (US)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 6 other outlets
- Pennsylvania reports first 2 measles deaths in the US this year, both people unvaccinated apnews.com
- Two unvaccinated people die of measles in Pennsylvania theguardian.com
- Two unvaccinated people die of measles in Pennsylvania bbc.co.uk
- Pennsylvania reports first 2 measles deaths in the U.S. this year, both people unvaccinated statnews.com
- Pennsylvania records first 2 measles deaths in 35 years cbsnews.com
- Pennsylvania reports first 2 measles deaths in the US this year, both people unvaccinated winnipegfreepress.com
