BERKS CO., Pa. – State health officials have confirmed a fifth case of measles in Berks County.
Officials say there have been 97 new cases in the past week, and there have been 792 cases in the state so far this year.
Of those sickened, the state says more than 150 have been hospitalized.
Measles is very contagious.
Symptoms include a high fever, cough, a runny nose, and a rash.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20% of people identified with measles being hospitalized, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Based on historical data, measles-associated deaths, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.
Officials say measles spreads when a person who is infected and in their contagious phase breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with the infection leaves the area.
Pennsylvania officials say the best protection against measles remains getting fully vaccinated. The MMR vaccine, administered over two doses, boosts a person’s immune system and provides 97% lifetime protection, the DOH says.
The DOH website shows that so far in 2026, the DOH has confirmed 792 measles cases, with 97 new cases occurring within the last 7 days. 155 of those cases were hospitalized, and 4 resulted in death.
To learn more about measles, visit Measles | Department of Health | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.