Pennsylvania Measles Cases Hit 977, Largest State Outbreak in 30 Years
Pennsylvania's health department reported 977 measles cases as of Friday, October 2, according to its website, as the state battles a fast-growing outbreak — the largest state-level measles outbreak in the U.S. in more than three decades, Reuters reported.
The state reported its fifth measles-associated death of the year on Wednesday — an unvaccinated Lancaster County resident. All five people who died of the disease in Pennsylvania this year were unvaccinated. CDC data shows 3,887 U.S. measles cases as of October 1, with Pennsylvania remaining the center of the nation's surge.
The CDC said it is working with state epidemiologists on a standard definition for measles-related deaths. Notably, the CDC has confirmed only two measles deaths nationally this year without naming states — a definitional gap with Pennsylvania's count of five that has stirred public-health debate.
Measles is highly contagious but preventable with the MMR vaccine, 97% effective after two doses. Pennsylvania health officials have added vaccination sites in hard-hit rural counties and deployed mobile clinics, urging unvaccinated residents — especially families with children — to get caught up.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Whispyhistory, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
