The US Just Recorded Its First 2 Measles Deaths This Year
The US has recorded its first two measles deaths of 2026, both occurring in an unvaccinated population in Pennsylvania. Health officials are citing declining vaccination rates and misinformation as primary drivers for the surge in cases nationwide.
Why it matters
The resurgence of preventable diseases like measles poses a significant public health risk and highlights the growing challenge of vaccine hesitancy.
Both individuals were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County in south-central Pennsylvania, which has a large Amish population. The health department said in a statement that it would not be releasing additional information about the individuals to protect their privacy. Pennsylvania has recorded 393 measles cases in 2026 so far, with roughly half of those in Lancaster County. Only Utah and South Carolina have logged more cases this year.
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro called measles a “serious and growing problem” across the country in a press conference on Tuesday. “Illness and death from measles is completely preventable,” he said. “We already have the tools to protect ourselves and our families from this disease, which is one of the most contagious diseases on the face of the Earth.”
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