Pennsylvania faces largest measles outbreak in decades as case count rises to 1,000
Neighboring states are also reporting hundreds of cases, with over 3,800 recorded across the country Pennsylvania has surpassed 1,000 measles cases this year, state health officials calculate, making it the largest state outbreak in more than three decades. The benchmark comes as neighboring New York declared a state of emergency about measles rates there. Pennsylvania’s health department said…
Pennsylvania is grappling with its largest measles outbreak in nearly three decades, with the case count surpassing 1,000 confirmed cases. The outbreak has resulted in five deaths and 198 hospitalizations, primarily affecting the Lancaster county, home to a substantial Amish and Mennonite population. Health officials have reported that the outbreak began in April, west of Philadelphia, and has been linked to low vaccination rates.
Lancaster county has been the hardest hit, with 391 confirmed cases. Cases have been on the rise over the past three months, with the highest incidence in the 24-49 age range. This surge is causing concern, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists only two measles deaths in the US this year, despite the state reporting five fatalities.
The disagreement stems from how to classify measles-related mortality. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has been vocal about his disagreements with US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr., calling Kennedy "incompetent" and disputing the CDC's death toll. In response, Shapiro has made the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine more accessible in affected communities.
He has emphasized the importance of measles prevention, urging everyone to take the outbreak seriously and consult with their healthcare provider. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has also declared a state of emergency due to 108 measles cases reported as of October 3. Ohio, with a significant Amish population, has reported over 200 cases this year.
The United States is experiencing its worst measles year since 1991, with the CDC reporting 3,887 confirmed cases this year and the highest number of measles-associated deaths in decades. Outbreaks have also been reported in several other states, including Texas, Utah, and South Carolina, which has seen the largest outbreak with 997 cases.
Pennsylvania's current outbreak started in April, west of Philadelphia, and has been attributed to low vaccination rates. The last time a US outbreak surpassed 1,000 cases was in New York City in the early 1990s, which infected more than 4,500 people. In 1989 and 1991, the US saw 55,000 infections and 123 deaths. International health officials will meet in November to determine if the US and Mexico have lost their measles-free status.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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