Health · Public Health & Disease · 4 hrs ago
Measles outbreak hits Pennsylvania Amish communities amid vaccine dispute
Pennsylvania has recorded more than 1,300 measles cases in its largest outbreak in over three decades.
The disease has hit Amish communities in Lancaster County particularly hard, where communal gatherings and large households can help it spread.
Officials say low vaccination rates are a major obstacle to containing the outbreak, and at least five people who died were reported to be from Amish communities.
The sources give different death counts: one says six people have died in Pennsylvania, while the other says five deaths are confirmed and a sixth is under investigation.
Measles can cause serious illness, especially among unvaccinated people, and the vaccine is highly effective at preventing it.
The outbreak is unfolding amid a wider US dispute over vaccines and public health information, while cases are also rising in other states.
Pennsylvania has reported 1,338 measles cases in an outbreak that began in late April, the state’s largest spread of the disease in more than three decades.
At least five measles-associated deaths have been reported in Pennsylvania, while authorities are investigating a sixth.
Low vaccination rates, particularly in Amish communities, have made containing the outbreak difficult, officials say.
Federal authorities reported 4,588 measles cases across the United States in 2026 as of Friday, across at least 43 outbreaks.
The outbreak has unfolded amid disputes over vaccine policy and criticism of federal health authorities’ reporting.
- Who
- People in Pennsylvania, including members of Amish communities, have been affected.
- What
- A large measles outbreak has caused more than 1,300 cases in Pennsylvania.
- When
- It began in late April; federal authorities reported new national figures on Friday.
- Where
- Pennsylvania, including Lancaster County; cases have also been reported across the United States.
- Why
- Officials cite low vaccination rates as a major challenge. The sources also describe vaccine-policy disputes and misinformation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pennsylvania authorities say the outbreak began west of Philadelphia.
Kennedy reportedly asked senior CDC officials to remove a measles death from the official tally.
HHS announced changes to vaccine injury reporting systems.
The CDC reported 4,588 measles cases nationally in 2026, including 1,338 in Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania cases
- 1,338 reported by the CDC on Friday
- US cases
- 4,588 reported in 2026 as of Friday
- Outbreaks
- At least 43 across the United States
- Pennsylvania deaths
- Five measles-associated deaths reported by state authorities; a sixth under investigation
- Lancaster County
- At least 40,000 Amish residents
2 sources
What people are saying
Amish are very social. The Amish families have a lot of kids — the average [has] seven or eight, so a lot of people in the household
They don't like governments telling them what to do … Amish don't subscribe to the national health insurance
There's a strong sense of Lancaster heritage and Lancaster identity … [The county] is special, especially in the minds of people with deep roots here
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