The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced Friday that 460 measles cases have been confirmed across 31 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026.
Officials say measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20 percent of people who contract measles being hospitalized.
Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases, according to the press release.
Measles spreads when a person who is infected 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, according to health officials.
Officials say symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward.
DOH is providing statewide data to help Pennsylvanians and health care providers understand measles activity and community transmission across the Commonwealth, authorities said.
Key updates include:
New Positive Cases (since Wednesday): 36
Total Counties: 31
Total Cumulative Cases: 460
Total Hospitalizations: 83
Total Cumulative Measles-Associated Deaths: 2
Infant 1 of 2 people reported to have died from measles-related deaths in Pa.
Pennsylvanians can stay up to date on confirmed measles cases, hospitalizations, deaths, community transmission, and vaccination efforts on DOH’s dashboard: pa.gov/measles.
Officials say the best protection against measles is getting full vaccination. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is given in a two-dose series and provides 97 percent protection against measles after two doses, according to the DOH.
MMR vaccine is available across the state by contacting a health care provider, county or municipal health department, DOH State Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or a Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, officials said.
People who believe they were exposed to measles and are experiencing symptoms should contact their health care provider or call DOH’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).