Two individuals in Pennsylvania have died from measles, marking the first reported deaths from the disease in the United States in 2026. Both patients were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The deaths are the state's first measles fatalities in 35 years. State officials confirmed the individuals were residents of Lancaster County, located approximately 60 miles outside Philadelphia. No further details regarding the deceased were released.
"My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss," stated Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania's secretary of health. "Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don't fully understand the potential severity of the illness."
Pennsylvania has recorded 393 measles cases across 28 counties in 2026. Nationally, the number of confirmed measles cases has surged, reaching its highest point in over three decades. As of August 20, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 2,777 confirmed cases nationwide. This figure surpasses any year since 1991, when 9,643 cases were recorded.