Two unvaccinated people die of measles in Pennsylvania

Two unvaccinated individuals have succumbed to measles in Pennsylvania, marking the first such deaths in the state in 35 years. The tragic announcements came just one day after Maryland declared a measles outbreak in three counties. Measles, a highly contagious disease that can be prevented by a highly effective vaccine, can be fatal in one to three out of every 1,000 cases and often leads to severe health complications such as pneumonia and brain swelling.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, Dr. Debra Bogen, expressed her deepest sympathies for the families affected, emphasizing that the severity of measles is often underestimated. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is the most effective protection against the disease. Maryland and New York have also urged their residents to get vaccinated in light of the rising cases.

The CDC recently reported the largest one-year increase in vaccine exemption requests, coinciding with a long-term decline in vaccination rates, particularly for measles. Pennsylvania has recorded nearly 400 cases across 28 counties, with most of them in adults aged 18 to 49. The two deceased individuals were residents of Lancaster county, where nearly half of the cases are reported.