Pennsylvania measles outbreak 2026
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
Second baby dies of measles in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
The previous infant's mother had measles and passed it along.
Measles was listed on the previous newborn's death certificate.
A previous infant death in Lancaster County occurred on Aug. 14.
Six-week-old child in Pennsylvania dies from measles
The first measles-related death in Lancaster County occurred on 14 August and involved an infant whose mother had measles.
Nearly half of Pennsylvania's measles cases are in southern Lancaster County.
Most measles cases reported to Pennsylvania state health authorities are in adults between 18 and 49.
New measles outbreaks across three US states
Georgia has reported 11 measles cases in 2026.
Wisconsin has recorded 100 measles cases in 2026, its highest annual total since 1990.
Pennsylvania announced two measles-associated deaths on Aug. 25, including a newborn infant.
Pennsylvania commissioner accuses Shapiro of deceptive measles death framing; RFK Jr criticizes governor
The majority of infected persons in Pennsylvania are not vaccinated, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The coroner, Dr. Stephen Diamoantoni, stated he had not been contacted by Shapiro or the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
RFK Jr. criticized Shapiro's announcement in a post on X.
Reported Measles Deaths in Pennsylvania Trigger Political and Health Debate
Pennsylvania officials reported that two unvaccinated residents died following a measles infection.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested on social media that the reported deaths might have been fabricated.
Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni concluded that a newborn baby who tested positive for measles did not die from the virus.
“As measles infections increase, we also need to prepare for more of the tragic complications we have largely avoided in this country for decades,”
Pennsylvania reports first measles deaths in decades
The people who died lived in Lancaster County, west of Philadelphia.
Trump signed an executive order calling for revamped childhood vaccine recommendations.
In the Philadelphia region, Chester County has the highest number of measles infections, at 41.
Two unvaccinated people die of measles in Pennsylvania
Three people died from a measles outbreak in 2025 that began in West Texas and spread to New Mexico.
The US has seen 2,777 confirmed cases of measles in 2026.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said the illness and death from measles is completely preventable.
“Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don’t fully understand the potential severity of the illness,”
Pennsylvania reports first U.S. measles deaths of the year
These were the first measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania in 35 years.
Shapiro said every single measles case this year was someone who was not fully vaccinated.
About 88% of kindergartners in Lancaster County were up to date on their measles vaccines during the last school year.
“Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don’t fully understand the potential severity of the illness. We want to ensure every Pennsylvanian has the information they need to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities. As a physician, I want to make sure that people understand that the MMR vaccine is safe and provides the best protection we have against measles.”