Pennsylvania confirms infant among two measles-related deaths

NewsA tragic Pennsylvania death is drawing attention to a growing health threatHealth officials say two unvaccinated Pennsylvania residents died after testing positive for measles, including an infant, as the state confronts its largest outbreak in decades. (AP Photo/Annie Rice, File)AP Photo/Annie RiceBy Chris Pugh, cleveland.comAdvance Local Express DeskTwo Pennsylvania residents who died after contracting measles were unvaccinated, and one of them was an infant, state health officials confirmed Wednesday. The deaths are the first measles-related fatalities reported in the United States in 2026 and Pennsylvania’s first such deaths linked to the disease in more than three decades, CNN reported.State health officials said both deaths occurred in Lancaster County, which has become the center of Pennsylvania’s outbreak this year. While officials initially withheld details about the victims, they later confirmed that one of the deaths involved an infant whose case remains under review by the county coroner. The fatalities come as health authorities continue to urge residents to get vaccinated against measles, a highly contagious disease that was once considered eliminated in the United States. Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen expressed sympathy for the affected families and emphasized that the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine remains the most effective defense against infection. The outbreak has also reignited debate over vaccine policy and public health messaging. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he recently spoke with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who offered federal assistance in responding to the outbreak. Shapiro said the state has the resources needed to manage the situation and criticized the spread of vaccine misinformation, arguing that inaccurate claims about immunizations can influence decisions that affect public health. Health officials reported that Pennsylvania has recorded 393 confirmed measles cases across 28 counties in 2026. Roughly half of those infections have been identified in Lancaster County alone. According to state data, about one in five patients diagnosed with measles this year has required hospitalization. Officials also noted that none of the confirmed measles cases tracked by the state have occurred in people who received the full recommended two-dose MMR vaccine series. Public health experts say the vaccine provides strong protection against infection and helps prevent severe illness and complications. Nationally, the United States is experiencing another significant resurgence of measles. More than 2,700 cases have been reported this year, surpassing totals seen in any year since the early 1990s. Public health experts have warned that the country risks losing its measles elimination status if transmission continues at current levels. Measles typically begins with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes before progressing to a distinctive rash that spreads across the body. The virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, making it one of the most contagious diseases known. Doctors warn that measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation and, in rare cases, death. Health officials continue to encourage eligible children and adults who are not fully vaccinated to receive the MMR vaccine, including catch-up doses for those who missed earlier immunizations. Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said the deaths highlight the consequences of a disease that can largely be prevented through vaccination. Medical experts say younger children, pregnant women and older adults remain among the groups most vulnerable to severe complications. Chris Pugh covers trending news and national breaking stories, focusing on the moments, conversations, and cultural flashpoints shaping the national news cycle. Chris worked as a digital reporter for...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff.