Pennsylvania measles cases cross 900 as outbreak grows
Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has reached 903 cases, marking the state's worst resurgence in decades. Health officials are managing hospitalizations while navigating political friction regarding the classification of virus-related deaths.
Why it matters
The outbreak underscores the public health risks associated with declining vaccination rates and the challenges of managing infectious disease in a polarized political climate.
Pennsylvania's measles outbreak continued to worsen today, with 68 new infections reported since Wednesday of last week, bringing the total to 903 as the state grapples with its worst measles resurgence in decades.
Pennsylvania's health department data released today showed that 176 measles patients had been hospitalized, up from 164 reported on Sept. 23. Lancaster County, which has the highest number of cases, remains the hardest-hit area in the state.
Pennsylvania reported four measles-related deaths among unvaccinated residents earlier this month, sparking a disagreement between Gov. Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over how many of the fatalities were directly caused by the virus.
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