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Pennsylvania measles outbreak reaches 767 cases; four deaths reported

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Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has grown to 767 confirmed cases in 38 counties, with 150 people hospitalized and four measles-associated deaths reported this year, according to the latest state figures.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Friday that 36 additional cases had been confirmed since Wednesday. Only four of the state’s 767 cases involved people considered appropriately vaccinated for their age, representing less than 1% of infections.

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Adams County recorded its first confirmed measles case of the year by early September, after having no reported cases as recently as Aug. 24.

The outbreak, which began in late April, is now the largest in the United States. Pennsylvania’s four reported deaths are its first measles-associated deaths in 35 years.

Two deaths occurred in Lancaster County. Two additional deaths, involving unvaccinated residents of Jefferson and Mifflin counties, were confirmed Sept. 15.

Additional information released by county coroners indicates the four people ranged from a newborn to a 40-year-old adult. State health officials have released few details, citing Pennsylvania laws protecting death records and information about people with communicable diseases.

The Department of Health defines a measles-associated death as one occurring within 30 days of symptom onset in someone with clinical evidence of infection and a positive measles laboratory test, provided the death was not from an unrelated cause.

State health officials have stepped up vaccination efforts as cases have increased. Nearly 4,800 MMR vaccinations have been administered at 148 pop-up clinics in affected communities since late April. More than 46,000 MMR doses were administered statewide in August, compared with about 25,000 in a typical month.

The MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles after two doses, according to the Department of Health. Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, and the virus can remain infectious for up to two hours after that person leaves an area.

Source: Phila Inquirer

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