The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported a fifth measles-associated death in the state this year as confirmed cases reached 943 across 39 counties.

The department said Sept. 30 that an unvaccinated Lancaster County resident who tested positive for measles had died. Officials said they would not release further information that could identify the person or family.

State health officials reported 40 new cases since Sept. 28. The 2026 total includes 176 hospitalizations. Four of the reported cases were among vaccinated people, less than 1 percent of the total, according to the department.

The department said health care providers administered more than 53,000 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine doses statewide in September, more than twice the typical monthly amount. Providers administered more than 49,000 doses in August; about 25,000 doses are typically given in a month.

Since the outbreak began in late April, state health center staff have administered more than 5,500 vaccinations at 180 pop-up clinics in affected communities, the department said. Additional clinics are planned in coming weeks and months.

The Department of Health says vaccination is the best protection against measles and that two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing the disease. The state’s measles dashboard provides current case, hospitalization and death totals.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health, Sept. 30, 2026.