Pennsylvania Reports 74 New Measles Cases, State Health Officials Say
The state has recorded over 1,000 cases this year, with five deaths attributed to the illness.
Pennsylvania has reported 74 new measles cases since Monday, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 1,078 this year, according to the state's health department. Officials also confirmed that five individuals have died due to the illness.
The health department clarified that of the newly reported 74 cases, more than 40 involve individuals who were sick more than two weeks ago and are no longer contagious. Their cases were recently reported and subsequently confirmed, meaning Wednesday's update does not indicate a current surge in new infections.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause serious complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine for optimal protection. The first dose is typically administered at 12 to 15 months of age, with the second given between 4 and 6 years old. A single dose is 93% effective, while two doses increase effectiveness to 97%.
The CDC also advises that infants aged 6 to 11 months living in or traveling to high-risk outbreak areas may receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine. However, vaccination rates have seen a decline in recent years. Data from the 2025 to 2026 school year shows that 92.4% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine, a decrease from the 95.2% reported in the 2019 to 2020 school year, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the ongoing measles cases, Pennsylvania's Department of Health has administered over 8,800 doses of the MMR vaccine, with approximately 3,500 doses given in August and more than 2,500 in September.