Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak Is Largest and Deadliest in the US in Over 30 Years
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Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has reached about 1,300 reported cases and at least five deaths, making it the largest and deadliest in the United States in more than three decades.
Pennsylvania's measles outbreak, which began in April, has become the largest and deadliest the United States has seen in over 30 years. About 1,300 cases have been reported, with five measles-associated deaths confirmed and a sixth under review.
Historical data suggests 1 to 3 people die per 1,000 unvaccinated people who contract measles, but Pennsylvania's death rate is at least 1.5 times higher than that average — and possibly up to 5 times higher. Experts say the true scale is likely even larger than official figures show, partly because of expected underreporting and the difficulty of tracking a disease the US eliminated decades ago.
A key factor behind the severity is who is being affected. About two-thirds of Pennsylvania's cases have been among adults, nearly all unvaccinated. By contrast, more than 60% of US measles cases nationwide over the past two years have involved children or teens. The outbreak is concentrated largely in the Amish and broader Plain community, which has a distinctive relationship with the health care system.
Unvaccinated adults tend to suffer more severe complications than unvaccinated children, and their lack of immunity also means their babies are born without protective maternal antibodies. Two infants have died from measles in Pennsylvania this year — both too young to have received the MMR vaccine.
The CDC's public dashboard currently lists only three Pennsylvania measles deaths, while the state health department has officially confirmed five. Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen has urged CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz to acknowledge all five deaths publicly. A disease detective from the CDC's Epi-Aid program arrived in Pennsylvania this week to assess the outbreak's true scale and evaluate local vaccination efforts.
