Two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents have died after contracting measles, marking Pennsylvania’s first measles-associated deaths in 35 years and the first such deaths reported in the United States in 2026.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the deaths on August 25 as the statewide total reached 393 confirmed cases across 28 counties. The state also reported 86 new cases over the previous seven days. Officials have not released the ages, names or other identifying details of the two people who died.
Pennsylvania deaths come as U.S. cases hit a 35-year high
The deaths come during the most significant U.S. measles resurgence in decades. The United States recorded 2,777 confirmed cases through August 20, the highest annual total since 1991 and already above the 2,289 cases reported during all of 2025.
The CDC has recorded 36 outbreaks in 2026, with about 94% of confirmed cases linked to outbreaks. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning continuous domestic transmission had been interrupted, but imported infections can still trigger outbreaks when enough people are not immune.
The Pennsylvania deaths are the first measles deaths reported nationally this year. In 2025, two unvaccinated children in Texas were among the people who died during measles outbreaks.
Why Lancaster County is a key focus
Both Pennsylvania residents who died lived in Lancaster County, which has also been the subject of several recent public exposure alerts.
Potential exposures included a soccer camp at Millersville University on August 4 and 5 and the Whole Foods Market at 1563 Fruitville Pike in Lancaster on August 12. An earlier case also prompted an exposure warning at the Lancaster County Courthouse on June 3.
Health officials have not linked either death to those specific exposure locations, so residents should not assume those sites were the source of the fatal infections.
The resurgence is not limited to Pennsylvania. Neighboring Canada has also reported measles cases and travel-related exposure warnings, adding wider regional context to the measles outbreak and flight exposure alerts in Canada.
What symptoms should people watch for?
Measles spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person leaves, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Symptoms typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Early signs include high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes. A rash usually appears several days later, beginning around the head and spreading downward.
Measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and swelling of the brain. Pennsylvania health officials say nearly 20% of people who contract measles may require hospitalization, while measles-related deaths occur in roughly one to three patients per 1,000 cases.
How effective is the MMR vaccine?
One dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is about 93% effective against measles, while two doses provide approximately 97% protection.
The routine childhood schedule generally calls for a first MMR dose at 12 to 15 months and a second at 4 to 6 years. During active outbreaks, Pennsylvania has also recommended early or catch-up vaccination for some people who are not fully protected, including certain infants as young as six months in affected areas.
An early infant dose does not replace the routinely scheduled doses later in childhood. People who are unsure whether they are fully protected should check their vaccination records or speak with a healthcare professional.
The resurgence has also renewed attention on protection against vaccine-preventable illnesses and the importance of routine vaccination and immunization.
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What should you do after possible measles exposure?
People who may have been exposed should verify their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms for 21 days after the possible exposure.
If fever, cough, red eyes or a rash develops, health officials recommend calling a healthcare provider before arriving at a doctor’s office, urgent care clinic or emergency department. Advance notice allows medical staff to take precautions and reduce the risk of exposing other patients.
Pennsylvania residents can also contact the Department of Health at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258) for guidance about symptoms, exposure or vaccination.
How Pennsylvania is responding
The state has expanded contact tracing, public exposure notifications, laboratory testing and vaccination outreach as cases have increased. Pennsylvania also launched an online measles dashboard to help residents follow county-level case activity and other outbreak data.
With 393 confirmed cases across 28 counties, the outbreak is no longer limited to one community. For families, the most practical steps are to verify MMR vaccination records, follow official exposure notices and contact a healthcare provider promptly if measles symptoms appear.
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