Two Unvaccinated Pennsylvanians Die of Measles, First in 35 Years

Two unvaccinated people have died of measles in Pennsylvania, state health officials announced Tuesday — the first measles deaths in the state in 35 years. The announcement came a day after Maryland declared a measles outbreak in three counties.

Both people who died were residents of Lancaster County, according to state officials, who released no further details about their identities.

"My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss," Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said in a statement. "Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don't fully understand the potential severity of the illness."

Measles kills one to three people for every 1,000 infected and can cause pneumonia and brain swelling. About 20% of unvaccinated people who contract the disease are hospitalized. Bogen urged residents to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, calling it safe and the best available protection.

Pennsylvania has now recorded nearly 400 measles cases across 28 counties, with almost half concentrated in southern Lancaster County. Most cases have been reported in adults ages 18 to 49, though officials say the true case count is likely higher than reported.

The outbreak comes as measles cases climb elsewhere. Maryland declared an outbreak Monday in St. Mary's, Carroll and Cecil counties, with 31 confirmed cases statewide. New York urged residents to get vaccinated the same day, citing rising cases in rural areas near the state capital and in central and western New York.

"The overall risk remains low if you are fully vaccinated," said Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani, urging residents to check their vaccination status.

The deaths follow a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released last week showing the largest one-year increase on record in requests for vaccine exemptions, alongside a long-term decline in vaccination rates, particularly for measles. The news also comes after President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. held a press conference linking vaccines to autism — a claim repeatedly debunked by scientific research.