2 people die from measles in Pennsylvania

Aug. 25 (UPI) — Two people who were not vaccinated against measles died in Pennsylvania after contracting the disease, the state’s health department reported.

They are the first deaths from measles in the state in the last 35 years and the first deaths reported this year in the United States.

“My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss,” Dr. Debra Bogen, the Pennsylvania secretary of health, said in a statement. “Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don’t fully understand the potential severity of the illness.”

Both of the deaths were reported in Lancaster County.

Measles cases have hit a record high in the United States since the virus was declared eliminated in 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in July.

As of Aug. 20, 2,777 confirmed measles cases have been reported, the highest since 1991. More measles cases have been reported in the United States in the past two years than in all the years from 2000 through 2024 combined.

Last year, two unvaccinated children died of measles. The identities or ages of the two who died this year haven’t been released.

The CDC recommends children get two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine at ages 12-15 months and between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective and two doses are 97% effective against measles, the CDC said.

Pennsylvania has confirmed 393 measles cases in 28 counties so far this year, with 86 new cases in the last seven days.

Measles symptoms usually appear in seven to 14 days, but could show up as long as 21 days after exposure. Common measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, rash and red, watery eyes.

The disease is highly contagious and can spread through the air. It can cause serious short- and long-term health problems, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20% of people who contract measles being hospitalized.