CDC Dispatches 'Disease Detective' to Pennsylvania Amid Measles Surge
The U.S. has recorded over 4,400 measles cases this year, with Pennsylvania reporting a significant portion and six related deaths.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sending a "disease detective" to Pennsylvania to assist with a surge in measles cases, as the U.S. total surpasses 4,400 infections this year. Pennsylvania has formally requested CDC assistance through the Epi-Aid program, which provides rapid field investigation and resources for urgent public health issues.
The CDC reported that as of Friday, 4,410 measles cases have been confirmed across 45 states and Washington, D.C. Eighteen of these cases involved international visitors.
Pennsylvania alone has reported at least 1,200 cases and six measles-related deaths, according to local health officials. The Pennsylvania Department of Health stated that fewer than 1% of the state's cases are among individuals who are fully vaccinated with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Nationally, the CDC data indicates that approximately 96% of measles cases occur in unvaccinated individuals or those whose vaccination status is unknown. About 2% of cases are among those who have received one dose of the MMR vaccine, and another 2% are among those who have received the recommended two doses.
The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for protection against measles: the first between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second between 4 and 6 years old. According to the agency, one dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective.
However, CDC data shows a decline in vaccination rates in recent years. For the 2025-26 school year, 92.4% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine, a decrease from 95.2% in the 2019-20 school year. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz continue to advocate for the MMR vaccine as the most effective preventive measure against measles.