Two People Have Died of Measles in Pennsylvania

Two individuals in Pennsylvania have tragically died from measles, marking the first reported deaths from the disease in the United States this year. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on August 25 that the deceased were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, which is at the center of a statewide measles outbreak that has infected hundreds.

The state health officials emphasized that these fatalities are the first associated with measles in Pennsylvania in 35 years. Dr. Debra Bogen, the state's health secretary, explained that the deaths are particularly concerning as measles was largely eradicated from the state over three decades ago, and many people lack awareness of the disease's severity.

Over 2,700 measles cases have been reported in the U.S. this year, the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. In the past two years, the U.S. has seen more measles cases than it did in the entire period from 2000 to 2024 combined. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to high fever, a distinctive rash, cough, and other symptoms.

While the disease can be mild for some, about one in four people infected with measles require hospitalization. Vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women, and the elderly are at higher risk of developing severe complications. Currently, there is no specific treatment for measles. The measles vaccine, delivered as a combination MMR shot, is 97% effective at preventing the disease and reduces the risk of complications if someone becomes infected.

Bogen stressed the importance of the vaccine, stating that it is safe and provides the best protection against measles. Despite the national MMR vaccination rate among kindergarteners surpassing 95% in the 2019-2020 school year, it has since declined and reached 92.4% in 2025-2026, with Pennsylvania at 93%. In Lancaster County, the vaccination rate was below 88%.

The Amish community, which makes up a significant portion of Lancaster County, has a vaccination rate of less than 88%. This low vaccination rate has been attributed to a decline in vaccination rates following the COVID pandemic and increased anti-vaccine rhetoric, including misleading statements by former President Donald Trump about the vaccine's efficacy.

The executive order signed by Trump in August 2021 aimed to reduce the number of vaccines children receive and altered the MMR vaccine schedule, sparking criticism from medical professionals. Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, called the executive order "disheartening and dangerous." The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting at 12 to 15 months of age.

Additional doses may be administered to children aged 6 to 11 months under specific circumstances. For adults who are unvaccinated or unsure about their vaccination status, the CDC recommends getting the vaccine, especially as measles cases continue to rise and cold and flu season approaches.