A case of measles has been confirmed in Western Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n
A statement from the Chief Medical Officer at Independence Health System, Dr. Michael Fiorina, verifies a laboratory-confirmed case of measles in Butler County. <\/p>\n
RELATED COVERAGE >>> Local doctor shares what you need to know following reported case of measles in Pittsburgh area<\/a><\/p>\n Fiorina says the patient was seen at Sarver FasterCare and at their primary care provider\u2019s office. <\/p>\n The Pennsylvania Department of Health has been notified of the measles case and contact tracing activities for anyone who was possibly exposed are underway. <\/p>\n Fiorina says the patient is quarantining at home and is following public health guidance. It wasn\u2019t specified if the patient was unvaccinated. <\/p>\n Right now, Fiorina says there\u2019s no \u201cindication of any broader risk beyond those identified through the contact tracing process.<\/p>\n The confirmation of a local measles case comes on the same day that state officials say two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents died<\/a> from measles-associated causes. These are the first measles-related deaths recorded in Pennsylvania in 35 years.<\/p>\n It also comes a few days after a UPMC Children\u2019s Hospital patient tested positive for measles<\/a> after being in the emergency department on Aug. 12 and 18. That individual was unvaccinated and is not from Allegheny County. <\/p>\n There is \u201cno ongoing risk\u201d of contracting measles at Children\u2019s Hospital because of this patient, a hospital spokesperson previously said.<\/p>\n Currently, there are no confirmed measles cases in Allegheny County. <\/p>\n Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread through breaths, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and irritated eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Symptoms typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure.<\/p>\n Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20% of infected individuals requiring hospitalization.<\/p>\n The state has confirmed<\/a> 393 measles cases across 29 counties thus far in 2026. Health officials emphasized that receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine provides 97% lifetime protection against the virus.<\/p>\n State health officials advised anyone experiencing symptoms or suspecting exposure to contact a health care provider or call the Department of Health toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258). <\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI N<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n