PENNSYLVANIA – On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that an unvaccinated resident of Lancaster County has tested positive for measles and died.
This is the fifth Pennsylvania resident who meets the measles-associated death definition, as the number of confirmed measles cases stands at 943 across 39 counties so far in 2026, the DOH says.
Officials say to protect the privacy of the individual and their family, the DOH will not release any additional details that could personally identify them, saying the family deserves the dignity to mourn in private.
The DOH says it continues to lead Pennsylvania’s robust response to the ongoing measles outbreak and is making the most up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths available on its measles dashboard.
According to the DOH, while daily numbers fluctuate, tracking these trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the Commonwealth and helps inform DOH’s ongoing response.
Key updates include:
New Positive Cases (since September 28, 2026): 40
Total Counties: 39
Total Cumulative Cases: 943
Total Hospitalizations: 176
Total Confirmed Measles-Associated Deaths: 5
Measles cases among vaccinated individuals: 4 (less than 1% of cases)