2 die of measles in Pennsylvania, the first U.S. fatalities this year

Digital Editor

LANCASTER, Pa. —

Two people have died of measles in Pennsylvania, the state’s health department said Tuesday.

The deaths mark the first such deaths from the disease in the U.S. this year, and the first in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 35 years.

“My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss,” Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen said in a statement. “As a physician, I want to make sure that people understand that the MMR vaccine is safe and provides the best protection we have against measles.”

Both people were unvaccinated, health officials said, and were residents of Lancaster County.

No additional details were released about the victims.

Pennsylvania has confirmed 393 measles cases in 28 counties so far in 2026.

Measles continues its historic resurgence in the U.S. this year, with a second record-breaking year in a row. Cases have surpassed 2,700 this year, more than in any year since 1991.

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but more cases have been reported over the past 18 months than in the previous 25 years combined.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can cause fever, cough, runny nose and a distinctive rash, and in some cases leads to serious complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling or death. The disease is preventable with the highly effective measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.