Pennsylvania's Measles Crisis: A Disease We Thought Was Gone Is Back!

Pennsylvania is seeing a significant rise in measles cases, with health officials reporting 460 confirmed cases across 31 counties as of August 28. That includes 36 new cases reported in just two days.

The outbreak has also resulted in 83 hospitalizations and two measles-associated deaths. The deaths involved two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents and were Pennsylvania’s first measles-associated deaths in 35 years.

Measles is highly contagious and can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Early symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes, followed several days later by a rash.

With students returning to classrooms and families moving between communities, health officials are encouraging residents to know their vaccination status and stay alert for possible symptoms. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 97% protection against measles.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health