Milton S. Hershey Medical Center briefly enacts measles precaution protocol
The hospital activated temporary safety measures for possible measles symptoms late Thursday night and lifted them early Friday, while continuing normal patient care.
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center activated temporary safety precautions for individuals showing possible measles symptoms shortly after 10 p.m. on Thursday, according to a Penn State Health spokesperson. The measures were discontinued at about 12:30 a.m., and patient-care operations proceeded without interruption.
"At no time was the Emergency Department on lockdown," the spokesperson said.
Penn State Health explained that signage at hospital entrances, including the emergency department, directs anyone with potential measles symptoms to call before entering. If a person enters despite the notice, staff follow established protocols that may involve relocating the individual, providing masks and escorting patients and visitors along controlled pathways.
State health officials reported 1,222 confirmed measles cases across 42 Pennsylvania counties in 2026, including 86 new cases since Oct. 9, with 225 hospitalizations and five measles-associated deaths. Four of the cases occurred in vaccinated individuals, representing less than 1% of the total. An investigation is underway into a recent death in Franklin County to determine if it meets the criteria for a measles-associated death.