Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen issued the official announcement, describing the fatalities as measles-associated without releasing further clinical details or identifying information to protect privacy. A subsequent national report indicated one of the deceased was an infant, though this was not included in the initial state statement. The department emphasized that these are the first measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania in 35 years.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed the deaths on August 25, 2026, identifying both individuals as unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County.

The announcement occurred amid a widespread measles outbreak in Pennsylvania that has affected 393 people across 29 counties in 2026, according to state records as of August 25. The Department of Health’s measles information page now lists the deaths as a major update in the ongoing outbreak response. Earlier in the year, the state reported 84 confirmed cases by late June, with the outbreak initially identified in Lebanon County in late April. By that time, 72 cases were linked to the Lancaster-Lebanon region alone.

The outbreak has since expanded beyond central Pennsylvania, with cases reported in Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Northumberland, and York counties. Lancaster County has remained the most heavily affected area, including as the location of the two deaths, according to state officials. Early investigations suggested the spread was community-associated rather than connected to domestic or international travel.

State health officials stressed the role of non-immunization in the severity of the outbreak. Both deceased individuals were unvaccinated, underscoring the Department of Health’s ongoing efforts to promote the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The department noted that while measles deaths are rare, the disease can be fatal, citing a fatality rate of one to three deaths per 1,000 cases. The state’s public health messaging has highlighted the risk posed by declining vaccination rates, which have contributed to a resurgence of measles cases nationwide.

Following the confirmation of the deaths, Governor Josh Shapiro announced expanded response efforts to contain the outbreak and protect residents. The administration outlined a statewide strategy to address the spread, urging anyone exposed or showing symptoms to contact a health care provider or call the state hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258). The Department of Health said it is working to provide timely information and resources to Pennsylvanians throughout the outbreak.

Nationally, the Pennsylvania fatalities are notable as the first measles deaths reported in the United States in 2026. Reuters reported that the deaths coincide with the highest U.S. measles case count in more than three decades. The Pennsylvania governor’s office confirmed these are the state’s first measles deaths since 1991. Media coverage has framed the fatalities as part of a larger outbreak rather than isolated incidents, reflecting a broader resurgence of measles linked to decreased vaccination coverage.

The outbreak’s origins trace back to late April 2026 in Lebanon County, with subsequent spread to neighboring counties. By late June, six counties had reported confirmed cases, including Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Northumberland, and York. State officials continue to monitor the situation closely and update public health guidance as the outbreak evolves.

As of June 26, 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) confirmed 84 measles cases across six counties, with Lancaster County reporting the highest number at 41 cases, followed by Lebanon County with 20, Northumberland six, Berks and Dauphin two each, and York one, according to DOH records. The outbreak, described by health officials as ongoing, began in late April and has expanded from an initial cluster in Lebanon County to multiple counties in the state. Earlier reports in 2026 indicated 62 cases statewide, but the latest update reflects a significant increase, marking the largest measles surge in Pennsylvania since the early 1990s.

As of June 26, 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) confirmed 84 measles cases across six counties, with Lancaster County reporting the highest number at 41 cases.

Health officials attributed the outbreak to the spread of the highly contagious measles virus, which is transmitted through respiratory droplets and airborne particles. The DOH has urged healthcare providers to promptly report suspected cases and adhere to testing protocols, including collecting throat or nasopharyngeal swabs, urine samples for rRT-PCR, and serum for measles IgM and IgG testing, as outlined in clinical advisory guidance issued in June. Providers are instructed to report suspected cases immediately by calling the DOH hotline at 877-724-3258 (877-PA-HEALTH).

The department also issued an exposure alert after a contagious out-of-state individual traveled through Adams, Clearfield, Lancaster, and York counties, advising residents who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and rash, and to contact healthcare providers or the DOH hotline if symptoms develop. This travel-related exposure highlights the potential for measles to spread rapidly across counties, particularly in under-vaccinated populations.

Vaccination status among confirmed cases remains a concern. Earlier in 2026, DOH reported that none of the 32 measles patients identified at that time were known to be vaccinated, or their immunization status was unknown, suggesting vulnerability among under-immunized groups, especially school-age children. The department’s guidance stresses that routine measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination is the primary prevention tool, recommending two doses for children—first between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years before school entry. Adults born in or after 1957 are advised to have one or two documented MMR doses or laboratory evidence of immunity, with two doses recommended at least 28 days apart for those without documentation in outbreak settings.

In response to the outbreak, DOH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend additional doses beyond the routine schedule for high-risk adults and preschool children living in or traveling to affected areas. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) protocols include administering the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure or immune globulin within six days for individuals lacking evidence of immunity, according to clinical advisories. Health officials emphasize that exposed persons without immunity should be closely monitored for symptoms and seek immediate care if severe symptoms such as persistent fever or shortness of breath develop.

The 2026 outbreak represents a marked increase compared to previous years. DOH data show only nine confirmed measles cases statewide in 2025, distributed across Bucks, Erie, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The current surge reflects a broader national trend, with the CDC reporting over 2,000 measles cases and more than 100 hospitalizations in the United States during 2026. Experts attribute this resurgence to clusters of under-vaccinated populations and increased travel-related spread, as exemplified by the recent out-of-state case passing through multiple Pennsylvania counties.

Public health efforts include heightened surveillance, clinician education, and coordinated responses among DOH, hospitals, and local health departments. The department has issued public alerts detailing county-level case counts and advising residents in affected areas to review vaccination records. Community vaccination and catch-up campaigns are underway to address under-immunization, particularly in schools where vaccination rates have declined significantly, according to local broadcast reports and health system advisories.

The Pennsylvania measles outbreak underscores ongoing challenges in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases amid shifting vaccination patterns. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and recommend that healthcare providers follow state and local guidance to contain transmission and protect vulnerable populations.