Fourth person dies of measles-associated illness in US
All deaths occurred in Pennsylvania, in worst year since 1992 for one of the most contagious diseases
TL;DR
- Pennsylvania has reported a fourth measles-associated death, the worst outbreak in the state since 1992.
- All four US measles-associated deaths have occurred in Pennsylvania.
- The state has seen nearly 700 measles cases, primarily in Lancaster and Mifflin counties.
- The US has experienced over 3,300 measles cases in 2026.
- Measles is highly contagious, and the MMR vaccine prevents 97% of cases.
- Vaccination rates are declining, with experts citing confusion spread by the administration.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., US health secretary and former anti-vaccine advocate, has influenced federal vaccine policy.
- Measles was eliminated in the US in 2000 but is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable infant death globally.