HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA / RankWire.AI / – According to the latest update on the outbreak, Pennsylvania has documented a total of 943 measles cases across 39 counties in 2026. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has recorded 176 hospitalizations and five deaths linked to measles through September 30. Since the previous report on September 28, an additional 40 cases have been identified, indicating ongoing transmission throughout the state. Authorities are monitoring the situation through the state’s measles dashboard, tracking cases, hospitalizations, fatalities, vaccination statuses, and affected counties.
The department confirmed that the fifth death involved an unvaccinated resident of Lancaster County who had tested positive for measles. No further identifying details were released, citing privacy protections. The state classifies this death as measles-associated based on its reporting criteria, bringing the total number of such deaths during the 2026 outbreak to five. This latest fatality has been reported to the CDC as part of national measles surveillance efforts.
Vaccination records indicate that only four of Pennsylvania’s 943 confirmed cases involved individuals who were appropriately vaccinated for their age, representing less than 1% of all cases. These four patients include three adults and one child from Centre, Jefferson, Lancaster, and Lycoming counties. Health officials continue to advise residents without documented immunity to consult with healthcare providers or pharmacists about receiving the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
Vaccination efforts increase across Pennsylvania
There has been a surge in vaccination activity during the outbreak period. In September alone, healthcare providers administered over 53,000 MMR doses, a significant increase from the usual monthly average of approximately 25,000. August saw more than 49,000 doses administered. Since the outbreak started in late April, Pennsylvania Department of Health staff have also delivered over 5,500 doses at 180 pop-up clinics. Throughout 2026, department nurses have administered more than 8,500 MMR doses through these clinics and state health centers.
The MMR vaccine offers protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two doses of MMR are 97% effective at preventing measles, while a single dose provides 93% protection. Pennsylvania officials state that individuals with two documented doses do not need an additional shot for routine immunity. Adults with only one dose or those who cannot locate their vaccination records are encouraged to discuss vaccination options with a healthcare provider. Vaccination services are available through providers, health departments, state health centers, and community programs participating in immunization efforts.
Measles cases escalate nationwide in 2026
Measles spreads via the air when an infected individual coughs, breathes, or sneezes. The virus can stay infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Symptoms typically start with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that begins on the head and moves downward after several days. The incubation period ranges from seven to 21 days post-exposure, and infected people can transmit the virus even before the rash appears.
The outbreak in Pennsylvania coincides with a broader increase in U.S. measles activity in 2026. As of September 24, the CDC confirmed 3,659 cases nationwide, involving cases across 47 reporting jurisdictions and among international travelers. The agency reports that 95% of these cases are linked to outbreaks. In 2025, the U.S. recorded 2,289 confirmed cases. The CDC emphasizes that measles remains highly contagious and notes that the country eliminated continuous domestic transmission in 2000. Pennsylvania publishes its figures separately due to differing state and federal reporting schedules.