Two Unvaccinated People Die From Measles in Pennsylvania as U.S. Cases Rise

Two people have died from measles in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, marking the first measles-related deaths reported in the United States this year.

Neither individual had been vaccinated against measles, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). The deaths are also the first measles-related fatalities reported in Pennsylvania in 35 years.

“To protect the privacy of the individuals and their families, DOH will not release additional details that may personally identify these individuals and their families,” Pennsylvania health officials said in a statement.

Pennsylvania measles cases reach nearly 400

Since the beginning of the year, 393 measles cases have been confirmed across 28 Pennsylvania counties. Nationwide, 2,813 measles cases have been reported so far this year, according to the U.S. Measles Tracker from Johns Hopkins University.

The national total has already surpassed the 2,289 measles cases reported in the United States in 2025. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also shows that more than 240 people have been hospitalized and three people have died.

These figures include measles cases acquired within the United States as well as infections imported by people who contracted the disease abroad. Imported cases represent a relatively small share of the total, while most infections are believed to have been transmitted locally.

Declining vaccination rates raise measles concerns

The recent Pennsylvania deaths come as childhood measles vaccination rates continue to decline nationwide. The percentage of kindergarten students receiving vaccine exemptions is also increasing, according to CDC school vaccination data.

The United States may lose its measles-elimination status later this year if the same strain of measles continues circulating domestically for more than 12 consecutive months. Although the country officially eliminated measles in 2000, sustained transmission could mean the disease is once again spreading regularly within the United States.

Most measles cases occur among unvaccinated people

Nearly 96% of measles cases reported this year occurred among people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown, according to the U.S. Measles Tracker.

Protection against measles is provided through either the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, or the MMRV vaccine, which also protects against chickenpox. Two doses of either vaccine provide approximately 97% protection against measles infection, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The MMR and MMRV vaccines offer the same level of protection against measles. However, MMRV also protects against chickenpox. Children who receive the MMR vaccine receive a separate varicella vaccine for chickenpox protection, as recommended by their health care provider.

Measles symptoms and health risks

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause fever, cough, a runny nose, red or watery eyes and a distinctive rash. About one in five people with measles may require hospitalization, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

People who contract measles can develop serious complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation. In the United States, approximately one to three people for every 1,000 infected may die from the disease, according to research published in JAMA.

Survivors may also experience long-term health problems, including neurological complications. Measles can cause “immune amnesia,” a condition in which the immune system loses some of its ability to respond to pathogens it has encountered previously.

“Measles has been largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than 30 years, so people are unfamiliar with the disease and don’t fully understand its potential severity,” Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania’s secretary of health, said in a statement. “We want to make sure all Pennsylvanians have the information they need to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities.”

Pennsylvania health officials say the best way to protect against measles is to remain fully vaccinated. People who are unsure of their vaccination status should consult a health care professional.