Pennsylvania reports 55 additional measles cases as outbreak reaches 890 statewide
The state health department said 55 new measles infections were confirmed, bringing the total to 890 cases, with 173 hospitalizations and four deaths.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Friday that 55 new measles cases were reported since Wednesday, raising the statewide total to 890 confirmed infections across 39 counties this year. The outbreak has led to 173 hospitalizations and four deaths linked to the disease.
State officials noted that fewer than 1% of the cases involve individuals who have received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and that about 31% of those infected are under 18 years old. Lancaster County accounts for the highest number of cases, with 359 confirmed infections.
"We are proactively working with residents, community organizations and healthcare providers to combat the measles outbreak through access to fact-based information and access to the MMR vaccine," the department said in a news release.
Since the outbreak began in late April, more than 5,300 MMR doses have been administered at 165 pop-up clinics, and total vaccinations this year exceed 7,900 doses. Additional clinics are planned based on community demand.
"The best protection against measles remains getting fully vaccinated," the release added, noting that the MMR vaccine provides about 97% lifetime protection.
Health authorities emphasized that measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications, with mortality rates of one to three deaths per 1,000 cases. The disease, declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, has re-emerged in under-vaccinated populations.