Pennsylvania health officials announced this week that a Lancaster County resident with confirmed measles had died, bringing the state’s reported measles-associated deaths this year to five.
Officials said the individual was not vaccinated but withheld additional information about the person to protect the family’s privacy.
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The state now has the largest and fastest-growing outbreak in the country with a reported 943 measles cases across 39 counties, including 119 new infections in the past seven days, according to state data. Of those infected, 176 people — nearly 19% — have been hospitalized. Four cases have been reported among vaccinated people.
As the outbreak grows, public health officials say demand for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has increased across the state. Providers administered more than 53,000 doses in September, compared with about 25,000 in a typical month. More than 49,000 doses were administered in August. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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State officials said people with two documented MMR doses do not need another. Adults with one dose or missing vaccination records should consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist about vaccination.
Pennsylvania’s outbreak comes amid a broader nationwide surge and mounting tension between state and federal health officials.
A growing outbreak
As of Friday, the CDC had confirmed 3,887 measles cases this year, exceeding the 2,289 cases recorded throughout 2025. About 95% of this year’s infections have been linked to outbreaks, as declining vaccination coverage leaves more communities vulnerable to the highly contagious virus.
Pennsylvania reported its first two measles-associated deaths in late August, prompting a dispute between state officials and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who questioned whether measles caused the fatalities.
The CDC initially excluded both August deaths from its national tally, saying it could not determine whether measles caused or contributed to them. The agency now lists two deaths nationally, following federal verification that measles was the underlying cause, but has not confirmed whether they were among Pennsylvania’s reported deaths.
State and national data suggest Lancaster County’s measles outbreak may be more severe than those in other parts of the country. The CDC has documented 42 new outbreaks this year; however, nationwide, only about 9% of people with measles have been hospitalized, down from 11% last year.
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