HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) today announced that 1,260 measles cases have been confirmed across 43 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026.

DOH continues to lead Pennsylvania’s robust response to the ongoing measles outbreak and is making the most up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths available on our measles dashboard.

While daily numbers fluctuate, tracking these trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the Commonwealth and helps inform DOH’s ongoing response.

Key updates include:

• New Positive Cases (since October 14, 2026): 38
• Total Counties: 43
• Total Cumulative Cases: 1,260
• Total Hospitalizations: 238
• Total Confirmed Measles-Associated Deaths: 5
• Measles cases among vaccinated individuals: 4 (less than 1% of cases)

Measles-associated deaths

As of October 16, DOH has confirmed five measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania this year.

DOH continues investigating a recently reported death in Franklin County. To be considered measles-associated, DOH's epidemiological definition must meet the following criteria: 

• Death must occur within 30 days of symptom onset in an individual with clinical evidence of a measles infection and a positive laboratory test
• Death must not be due to unrelated causes (e.g., motor vehicle accident)
• Additional information, such as whether an individual was exposed to a confirmed measles case prior to death or supporting medical records, are also considered. 

In order for a case to be classified as a measles-associated death, all criteria need to be met (e.g., symptoms plus a positive laboratory test). Additionally, a death occurring more than 30 days after symptom onset would not be counted.

DOH remains committed to accurately reporting on the measles outbreak in Pennsylvania.

Outreach and response

Approximately 300 DOH staff are proactively working with residents, community organizations, and health care providers to combat the measles outbreak in the Commonwealth through access to fact-based information and access to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

State health center staff have administered more than 6,100 MMR vaccinations at 210 pop-up vaccination clinics in the affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for the upcoming weeks and months, based on community interest and need. In pop-up clinics and at state health centers combined, DOH nurses have administered more than 9,300 MMR vaccine doses to residents across the Commonwealth in 2026. 

Statewide, health care providers have also seen a surge of interest from residents seeking MMR vaccinations. In a typical month, Pennsylvania health care providers administer approximately 25,000 doses of the MMR vaccine. In September, more than 56,000 doses were administered. So far in the first two weeks of October, more than 23,000 MMR vaccines have been administered.

DOH also continues to work with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) professional staff to respond to the measles outbreak. The Department’s measles response team meets remotely every other week with the CDC measles response team. The teams jointly review cases, outbreak response, and public facing materials, among other areas, and convene additional calls as needed.

Getting vaccinated

The best protection against measles remains getting fully vaccinated. The MMR vaccine, administered over two doses, boosts a person’s immune system and provides 97% lifetime protection. 

Because measles continues to spread, DOH recommends an additional early zero dose for infants aged 6 through 11 months who live in or travel to counties flagged on the measles dashboard for sustained community transmission; the early dose does not replace the two routine doses. Children 12 months and older who have not received any dose should get one now and a second dose at least 28 days later. 

People who have two documented doses of MMR do not need another. Adults who have only one dose, or who cannot find their vaccination records, should talk with a health care provider or pharmacist about getting vaccinated.

Residents interested in getting vaccinated should contact their trusted health care provider.

MMR vaccine is available across the state by contacting a health care provider, county or municipal health department, DOH State Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or a Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

Measles symptoms and transmission

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20 percent of people identified by DOH with measles being hospitalized. Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.

Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with the infection leaves the area.

Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Without proper protection or supportive care, measles can be deadly. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. People are typically contagious 4 days before and 4 days after rash onset.

People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider or call DOH’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).