{
  "id": 3334618,
  "title": "2 people die of measles in Pennsylvania as vaccination rates drop across the nation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/2-people-die-of-measles-in-pennsylvania-as-vaccination-rates-drop",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-25T19:05:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Science",
    "slug": "live-science",
    "url": "https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/2-people-die-of-measles-in-pennsylvania-as-vaccination-rates-drop-across-the-nation"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two individuals have died of measles in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, marking the first such deaths in the United States this year. Neither victim had received the measles vaccine, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). This is the first measles-related fatality in the state in 35 years. DOH has chosen not to disclose any further identifying information about the individuals and their families.\n\nSince the beginning of the year, there have been 393 confirmed measles cases in Pennsylvania across 28 counties. Nationally, 2,813 cases have been reported so far this year, surpassing the 2,289 cases reported in all of 2025, including over 240 hospitalizations and three deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).\n\nThese statistics encompass both measles cases contracted within the U.S. and imported cases from individuals who contracted the infection abroad. Imported cases account for a small portion of the overall total, with the majority resulting from local transmission. The two deaths in Pennsylvania occurred as the nation's vaccination rate for measles among kindergarteners declines, and the percentage of kindergarteners with vaccine exemptions rises.\n\nThe U.S. is on track to lose its measles elimination status later this year, which would indicate that the disease has been consistently circulating in the country for over a year. Although the U.S. officially eliminated measles in 2000, the disease appears to be back in regular circulation.\n\nThe CDC recommends that two doses of the MMRV vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox) or the MMR vaccine provide approximately 97% protection against measles infection. Out of the 96% of measles cases reported this year, nearly all have affected unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. Two doses of the vaccine are effective in preventing measles in nearly all cases.\n\nMeasles symptoms include rash, fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Approximately one in five unvaccinated individuals who contract measles are hospitalized, and there is a risk of developing complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation. In the U.S., measles can cause 1 to 3 deaths per 1,000 cases. Survivors may develop long-term health issues, including neurological disease or immune amnesia, where the immune system loses its ability to combat previously encountered pathogens.\n\nDr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania's secretary of health, emphasized the importance of ensuring all Pennsylvanians are informed about the disease and the severity of its potential impact. The DOH advises that the best way to prevent measles is to receive a complete vaccination.",
  "summary": "Pennsylvania health officials have reported two recent deaths from measles, marking the United States' first deaths from the highly infectious disease in 2026.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}