Pennsylvania Reports First Measles Deaths in 35 Years
Pennsylvania confirms its first measles fatalities since 1991, with two unvaccinated residents dying amid a nationwide surge of 2,777 cases.
Pennsylvania has recorded its first measles-related deaths in 35 years, according to the state's Department of Health. The two fatalities were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, though officials declined to release further details, citing privacy concerns.
The announcement comes as the United States grapples with a significant measles resurgence. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows 2,777 confirmed infections nationwide as of August 20, with Pennsylvania reporting 393 cases across 28 counties so far this year.
State Health Secretary Debra Bogen noted that measles had been largely eliminated in the commonwealth for over three decades, leaving many residents unfamiliar with the disease's potential severity. Her comments underscore the challenge health officials face in communicating the risks of the highly contagious illness.
The current outbreak marks the highest single-year case count in the US since a major resurgence between 1989 and 1991, which saw more than 55,000 infections and 123 deaths. The federal Department of Health and Human Services has not yet responded to requests for comment on the latest figures.