Two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents have died after contracting measles, marking Pennsylvania’s first measles-associated deaths in 35 years. The deaths come as the state’s outbreak continues to grow, with nearly 400 measles cases reported across 29 counties this year. Lancaster County remains the center of the outbreak, with 177 infections since April. Health officials warn measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases, spreading through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours.
Why This Matters:
Measles was considered largely eliminated for decades, but falling vaccination rates are creating openings for outbreaks to return. When a disease this contagious starts spreading, the risk can move quickly through schools, churches, workplaces, medical offices, and communities before families realize they were exposed. For households, this is a reminder that health preparedness includes knowing local risks, watching symptoms, keeping records updated, and having a plan before a public health concern becomes a local emergency.
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Source: WHYY
By: Nicole Leonard
