CDC to send ‘disease detective’ to help tackle Pennsylvania measles outbreak
State has confirmed six measles-related deaths and county at center of outbreak lacks its own health department The county at the center of Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is at a clear disadvantage because, local officials say, it lacks its own health department and it will now get special assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of Wednesday, Pennsylvania had…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is dispatching a "disease detective" to assist with Pennsylvania's escalating measles outbreak, which has seen 1,222 confirmed cases and six associated deaths. Lancaster County, the epicenter of the outbreak, lacks its own health department, placing it at a disadvantage in response efforts.
Six measles-related deaths have been confirmed by state authorities, prompting the CDC's intervention. The agency is also allocating nearly $4 million to support Pennsylvania's response. Lancaster County, predominantly populated by the Amish community, has a high percentage of unvaccinated individuals, contributing to the outbreak's prevalence.
Local officials, such as Alice Yoder, the newly elected Lancaster County Board of Commissioners, are advocating for the establishment of a county health department to improve response times and communication. The CDC's director, Dr. Erica Schwartz, advises the MMR vaccine as the most effective means to prevent measles and protect against infection.
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