Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Pennsylvania Reports Fifth Measles Death Amid Widening US Outbreak
Pennsylvania has reported that a fifth person died after being associated with measles this year.
The person lived in Lancaster County and had not been vaccinated.
Pennsylvania has also recorded 943 measles cases and 176 hospitalizations.
The state is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in the United States.
State and federal health officials disagree about whether some deaths should be counted as measles-related.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first left two deaths out of its official count, but later included them.
Measles can cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia and brain swelling.
Health officials say two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine provide strong protection.
Pennsylvania reported its fifth measles-associated death of the year in an unvaccinated Lancaster County resident.
The state has recorded 943 measles cases and 176 hospitalizations this year.
Pennsylvania and federal health officials have disputed whether some deaths were measles-related.
The United States has reported 3,669 confirmed cases across 45 states as of Sept. 24.
Health officials say two MMR doses prevent 97% of measles infections.
- Who
- An unvaccinated Lancaster County resident died; Pennsylvania and federal health officials are disputing the classification of some deaths.
- What
- Pennsylvania reported its fifth measles-associated death of the year amid a broader US outbreak.
- When
- The fifth death was announced Wednesday; US case figures cited were current as of Sept. 24.
- Where
- Pennsylvania, particularly Lancaster County, within an outbreak spanning 45 US states.
- Why
- The outbreak is expanding among largely unvaccinated people; the articles also describe disagreement over how measles-related deaths should be counted.
Pennsylvania Health Officials
Federal Health Officials and Critics
Classification of deaths
Pennsylvania Health Officials
Pennsylvania reported five deaths as measles-associated and said the fifth involved an unvaccinated Lancaster County resident.
Federal Health Officials and Critics
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. questioned the first two reported deaths and suggested they were fabricated for political gain; the CDC initially excluded them from its official tally and later included two.
Vaccine messaging
Pennsylvania Health Officials
Pennsylvania officials urged people to receive two MMR doses, describing vaccination as the best protection against measles.
Federal Health Officials and Critics
Kennedy publicly challenged the state's reporting, which Governor Josh Shapiro said was sowing distrust in vaccines.
Vaccine administration
Pennsylvania Health Officials
The state emphasizes the protection provided by the existing two-dose MMR schedule.
Federal Health Officials and Critics
President Donald Trump signed an executive order recommending that the MMR vaccine be split into three shots, a change the article says could require more doctor visits and increase the risk of missed immunizations.
- Pennsylvania deaths
- Five measles-associated deaths have been reported this year.
- Pennsylvania cases
- 943 confirmed cases have been reported in the state.
- Pennsylvania hospitalizations
- 176 people have been hospitalized.
- US case total
- There were 3,669 confirmed cases in 45 states as of Sept. 24.
- Vaccination status
- Less than 1% of Pennsylvania's confirmed cases occurred in fully vaccinated people.
- Vaccine effectiveness
- Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine prevent 97% of infections.
- Previous Pennsylvania record
- The state had not recorded a measles-related death in 35 years before this summer.