Mifflin County sees record measles cases as daily life carries on
Despite the highest infection rate in Pennsylvania, residents of Mifflin County report little public concern while health officials work to increase vaccination outreach.
Mifflin County, a rural area of about 46,000 people in central Pennsylvania, has recorded the state's highest measles infection rate, with 193 cases confirmed since July and 76 new cases reported in the past two weeks. The outbreak, which has claimed four lives statewide, has hit the local Amish community hard, where vaccination rates are low.
Public health officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Health are distributing educational materials and supporting local clinics to expand vaccine access. State Secretary of Health Debra Bogen recently visited the county to meet with providers and ensure they have the resources needed for outreach.
"We’re very popular lately," said Katie Mascia, director of clinical services at the Central Pennsylvania Clinic in Belleville, after a recent vaccination clinic attracted 73 participants, up from an initial sign-up of 15.
Local residents, however, say the outbreak has not altered daily routines. At a grocery store in Belleville, horse-drawn buggies and modern SUVs share the parking lot, and a downtown craft shop owner noted she has not heard customers discuss the virus. Radio host Rocco Pallotto reported receiving no calls when he invited listeners to comment on the measles situation.
Vaccination rates among seventh-grade students in the county are around 77%, among the lowest in the state, compared with 97% in Philadelphia County. The Amish, who make up an estimated 5,500 people in the area, often rely on home remedies and view the illness as a matter of faith, with one unnamed woman saying, "We want to take care, but we feel that God is in control."
Health workers acknowledge the challenge of addressing vaccine hesitancy in a community that traditionally resists modern medical interventions. "You can’t just say, ‘It’s the law of the land,’" said Helge Hartung, a physician at the Central Pennsylvania Clinic.
Hospital staff at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, which has treated 72 measles cases, report seeing fear among patients, while nursing manager Alexander Haines said, "I see a lot of fear."
The county continues to hold regular events such as the weekly livestock auction and farmers market, with attendance remaining strong despite the outbreak. Officials and community members alike appear to be navigating the public-health crisis with a mix of caution, resignation, and a focus on maintaining normalcy.