Pennsylvania surpasses 900 measles cases with 13 new confirmed infections: Officials
Pennsylvania has confirmed 13 new measles cases, bringing the year's total to 903 across 39 counties, with 176 hospitalizations and four deaths reported. The majority of cases are among unvaccinated adults, and two infant deaths occurred in those too young for the MMR vaccine.
Why it matters
This article highlights a significant public health crisis, indicating a widespread measles outbreak in Pennsylvania and the US, underscoring the critical importance of vaccination and the severe risks associated with vaccine hesitancy.
At least 13 new measles cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania since Friday, bringing the total so far this year to 903, according to Monday's update from the state health department.
Cases have been recorded in 39 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. At least 176 people have been hospitalized, and four measles-associated deaths have been reported, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) said.
Two of the deaths were among unvaccinated adults: an 18-year-old and a 40-year-old. The other two deaths were among infants who were too young to have received the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Fewer than 1% of the state's cases -- four in total -- are among those who are fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, according to DOH.
The majority of cases are among those between ages 25 and 49, followed by those between ages 18 and 24, according to state health department data.
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