Pennsylvania measles deaths have risen to four as health officials report a sharp increase in cases across the state.
Two more deaths were confirmed on Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to four in 2026.
Two more deaths reported in Pennsylvania
The latest deaths involved an 18-year-old from Mifflin County and a 40-year-old woman from Jefferson County.
The 18-year-old died from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a rare and serious complication that can follow measles infection.
The 40-year-old woman was also reported to have been unvaccinated.
Her death was previously announced by the Jefferson County coroner before the state completed its review.
Pennsylvania outbreak continues to grow
The deaths come as Pennsylvania deals with its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades.
The state has recorded 693 confirmed cases across 38 counties, according to the latest health department update.
At least 133 people have been hospitalised during the outbreak.
Health officials say the number of cases continues to change as new infections are identified.
The outbreak began in late April.
It has since spread across several parts of the state.
Earlier deaths involved two infants
Two other people had already died from measles-related complications in Pennsylvania.
Both were infants in Lancaster County.
Neither child was old enough to receive the routine measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
The deaths were the first measles-related fatalities reported in Pennsylvania in 35 years.
They were also the first such deaths reported in the United States this year.
State and federal reporting differ
The latest death count has also highlighted a disagreement over how measles-related deaths are classified.
Pennsylvania health officials say four deaths now meet their criteria for being associated with measles.
Federal health authorities have not included the same number in their national reporting.
The difference has created tension over how deaths linked to the outbreak should be recorded.
It has also drawn attention to changes in the way federal health agencies classify and report measles fatalities.
Health officials urge vaccination
Pennsylvania health officials continue to encourage residents to get vaccinated.
The MMR vaccine remains the main protection against measles.
Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles infection.
The state has also expanded vaccination efforts in communities affected by the outbreak.
Officials say thousands of MMR doses have been administered through pop-up clinics and other health facilities.
For now, health authorities are continuing to monitor new cases and hospitalisations.
The rise in Pennsylvania measles deaths has added urgency to those efforts as the outbreak continues.
Source: abc News
