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News
Pennsylvania's measles crisis deepens as the state confirms four deaths — all in unvaccinated individuals — amid 693 confirmed cases across 38 counties. The U.S. has recorded 3,294 measles cases in 2026, the highest count in 35 years. The outbreak has also sparked a political battle over how deaths are classified and whether federal assistance has been accepted.
Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has turned deadly, with the state confirming four measles-associated deaths in 2026 — all in unvaccinated individuals. The two most recent deaths involved residents of Jefferson and Mifflin counties, following an earlier death of a 40-year-old woman in Jefferson County. The state has now recorded 693 confirmed cases across 38 counties, making it the hardest-hit state in the nation.
The outbreak has become politically charged. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have publicly clashed over the death count, with Kennedy disputing how many deaths are directly attributable to measles. The CDC is also reevaluating how it classifies measles deaths and currently does not include the 2026 Pennsylvania fatalities in its national tally. Meanwhile, President Trump signed an executive order calling for the MMR vaccine to be split into three separate shots — a move widely criticized by health experts.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. 26 years ago, but declining vaccination rates — driven in part by growing vaccine hesitancy and mixed messaging from federal officials — are pushing the country toward losing that hard-won status. The U.S. measles elimination status is up for review in November 2026.
