Two people in Pennsylvania have died from measles, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, marking the first U.S. fatalities this year and the first in the state in 35 years. Both individuals were unvaccinated and resided in Lancaster County, which has reported 185 cases in 2026, making it one of the largest measles outbreaks in the United States this year. Pennsylvania has confirmed 393 cases in total across 28 counties, the third-highest tally in the country.

Measles resurgence and public health concerns

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but 2026 has seen a historic resurgence, with over 2,700 cases reported this year—more than in any year since 1991. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) noted that the virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can remain infectious for up to two hours in the air or on surfaces.

Early symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, though a rash follows a few days later, starting on the head and spreading downward. The virus can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and brain swelling; Symptoms can appear 7 to 21 days after exposure.

Vaccine effectiveness and prevention

The DOH emphasized that the best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, administered in two doses; the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing infection and offers protection against severe illness in the rare instance of a breakthrough case.

According to the DOH, nearly 20% of people who contract measles will require hospitalization. One to three people in every 1,000 cases will die. Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen expressed concern over the lack of public awareness of the disease, given that measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades.

“My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss,” Bogen said. “Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don’t fully understand the potential severity of the illness.”

Privacy concerns and public health messaging

To protect the privacy of the individuals and their families, the DOH will not release additional details that could personally identify them. The department also urged people to get vaccinated and to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms or suspect exposure to the virus.

Measles-related deaths, while rare, are considered preventable. The DOH reiterated that the MMR vaccine is safe and the best protection available. It also noted that the resurgence of measles is linked to declining vaccination rates and misinformation about vaccine safety.