Two die of measles in Pennsylvania as US cases hit 35-year high
Two unvaccinated people have died from measles in Pennsylvania, marking the first fatal cases of the year as the U.S. sees its highest case count since the virus was eliminated.
The update
Two unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, have died from measles, according to state health officials. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported the deaths on Tuesday, marking the first fatal cases of the disease in the U.S. this year. The state has recorded 393 confirmed cases across 28 counties, contributing to a national total of 2,777 cases in 2026.
Why it matters
This marks the highest number of measles cases in the U.S. in 35 years. The resurgence is driven by declining vaccination rates, which have fallen below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. Experts warn that the disease, once largely eradicated in the U.S., is resurging due to vaccine hesitancy and policy changes that have reduced recommended vaccinations for children.
What to watch
Dr. Angela Dunn, a former Utah state epidemiologist, warns that the outbreak could spread to neighboring states if vaccination rates do not recover. Public health officials are monitoring the spread of the virus in Pennsylvania and other hard-hit states as the U.S. government rolls back vaccine recommendations.
Sources
- aljazeera.com — Reported the deaths of two unvaccinated residents in Lancaster County and the national case count of 2,777.
- bbc.co.uk — Provided context on the 35-year high in cases and the vaccination rate in Lancaster County.