Pennsylvania measles outbreak reaches 792 confirmed cases
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said the state now has 792 measles cases, with 155 hospitalizations, as the outbreak continues to expand.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Monday that the state’s measles outbreak has risen to 792 confirmed cases, an increase of 25 since the previous Friday. Hospitalizations climbed to 155 patients, up from 150 three days earlier. Lancaster County remains the most affected area within the state.
Earlier this month, the department recorded measles-related deaths among unvaccinated residents, a development that sparked a dispute between Governor Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over the number of fatalities directly attributable to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet added Pennsylvania’s 2026 measles deaths to its national tally, stating it is reviewing how to classify those deaths.
Nationwide, the CDC lists 3,471 measles cases in the United States as of September 17. Health officials note that measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause fever, rash and respiratory complications, but it is preventable through the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is about 97% effective after two doses.