The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed 50 cases of measles across the Commonwealth in 2026, including 37 cases in Central Pennsylvania since late April, according to data available on the department’s website.

The health department said there have been 21 cases confirmed in Lancaster County, 14 in Lebanon County, and two in Dauphin County from late April to present. There is one other confirmed case in Berks County in that time frame as well.

“The Department of Health remains vigilant and prepared to manage measles cases with established public health practices and a dedicated team of experts,” Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen said earlier this year.

What To Know

1. Measles is a preventable disease that can lead to serious health issues and death.

According to the DOH, measles is very contagious. Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis. Certain groups are more likely to have serious complications from measles.

2. Vaccines provide the best protection against getting sick from measles.

Two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine provide the best protection against measles, according to the DOH. Most people who are vaccinated with MMR & MMRV will be protected for life.

3. Measles spreads easily through the air, often from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. The virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace after an infected person leaves an area.

If someone breathes in contaminated air or touches contaminated surfaces and then touches their face (like their eyes, nose, or mouth), they could become infected, the DOH said. A person with measles can spread the virus to others starting 4 days before through 4 days after the rash or symptoms appear.

4. Symptoms usually appear in 7 to 14 days, but could be as long as 21 days, after exposure to someone who is infected.

Measles symptoms usually appear in 7 to 14 days, but could be as long as 21 days, after exposure to the virus, according to the DOH.

Common measles symptoms include:

High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)