Follow-Up: Pennsylvania Measles Cases Reach 1,360 Across 44 Counties, Hospitalizations Rise to 258

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) on Oct. 26 released its latest statewide measles update: 1,360 confirmed cases across 44 counties so far in 2026, up 22 since the Oct. 23 update, with measles-related hospitalizations rising to 258 and confirmed measles-associated deaths unchanged at five.

In GSM's Oct. 24 follow-up, Pennsylvania stood at 1,338 cases and 255 hospitalizations. Cases rose by 22 and hospitalizations by three in three days. Only four of the confirmed cases — less than 1 percent — were in vaccinated individuals.

The department also updated its measles dashboard, adding year-to-date hospitalization rates by age group and case-count ranges on its county map. While daily numbers fluctuate, the department said tracking the trends gives residents and health care providers visibility into community transmission and informs its response.

On outreach, the department said state health center staff have administered nearly 6,700 MMR vaccinations at 228 pop-up clinics in affected communities since the outbreak began in late April, and that across pop-up clinics and state health centers, DOH nurses have given more than 10,300 MMR doses in 2026, with dozens more clinics scheduled in the weeks and months ahead. Demand at health care providers statewide has also surged: providers typically administer about 25,000 MMR doses in a month, but gave more than 56,000 in September and more than 39,000 in the first three weeks of October.

The department continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whose measles response team meets remotely with the department's team every other week to review cases, response efforts and public materials, with additional calls as needed.

Getting vaccinated remains the best protection, the department said: two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97 percent lifetime protection. Because measles continues to spread, the department recommends an additional early dose for infants aged 6 through 11 months who live in or travel to counties flagged on the 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 at least 28 days later. People with two documented doses need no additional dose, and adults with only one dose or no records should talk with a health care provider or pharmacist.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause pneumonia and brain swelling; nearly 20 percent of people identified by the department with measles have been hospitalized, and death occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. Symptoms begin 7 to 21 days after exposure with fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed days later by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward; people are contagious four days before and four days after rash onset. Residents who believe they were exposed and have symptoms should contact a health care provider or call the department's toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).

Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图：麻疹患者发病三天后的躯干皮疹（资料图）。图片来源：美国疾病控制与预防中心（CDC）／Heinz F. Eichenwald 博士，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。/ Photo: Measles rash on a patient's torso three days after infection (file photo). Source: CDC / Dr. Heinz F. Eichenwald, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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