Pennsylvania measles cases reach 977 as U.S. total nears 4,000

October 4, 2026 at 05:36 AM2 min

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Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has reached 977 confirmed cases across 39 counties, with 34 new infections logged since September 30. Hospitalizations tied to the virus now stand at 195, about one in five of all state patients. The national total has climbed to 3,886 cases, leaving the U.S. 114 cases shy of 4,000.

Key Facts

Pennsylvania has confirmed 977 measles cases across 39 counties, with 34 new infections since September 30.
Hospitalizations in Pennsylvania have reached 195, about one in five of all state patients.
Lancaster County accounts for 391 cases, the largest share of Pennsylvania's total.
The U.S. total stands at 3,886 confirmed measles infections after 228 new cases, the eighth straight week of triple-digit increases.
More than 99% of Pennsylvania patients were unvaccinated or undervaccinated, and about 69% of cases involve adults.

Pennsylvania Outbreak

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 977 confirmed measles cases across 39 counties as of Friday. Lancaster County remains the epicenter with 391 cases, followed by Mifflin County with 117, Chester with 83, Jefferson with 44, and Snyder with 41. More than 99% of the state's patients were unvaccinated or undervaccinated. Unlike the national pattern skewed toward children and teens, about 69% of Pennsylvania's cases involve adults. The outbreak, which began in late April, has claimed five lives, including two infants too young to be vaccinated, a 40-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man, and a fifth resident whose age range was not detailed.

National Surge

The CDC's weekly update put the U.S. total at 3,886 confirmed measles infections after 228 new cases, the eighth straight week of triple-digit national increases. Cases have been confirmed in 45 states plus New York City and Washington, D.C., across 42 outbreaks. About 95% of patients nationwide are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status, and 9% have been hospitalized. All but 18 of this year's U.S. cases were locally acquired, with 18% involving children under 5 and 61% involving kids and teens. The CDC continues to list only two measles-related deaths under a stricter confirmation process that routes fatalities through the National Center for Health Statistics.

Vaccination Response

Pennsylvania health officials stressed that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 97% lifetime protection. State nurses have run more than 180 pop-up clinics, and MMR demand has roughly doubled typical monthly volumes in recent months. Residents with symptoms after possible exposure are urged to contact a clinician or the department's hotline rather than walk into waiting rooms without calling ahead.