Two Lancaster County residents have died from measles, the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed Tuesday, marking the first measles-related deaths in the state in 35 years.
Health officials said both residents were unvaccinated but declined to release additional information to protect their privacy and that of their families.
“My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don’t fully understand the potential severity of the illness.
"As a physician, I want to make sure that people understand that the MMR vaccine is safe and provides the best protection we have against measles.”
Pennsylvania has recorded the third-most cases in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been 393 confirmed measles cases in 28 counties across Pennsylvania so far this year, according to health officials. Lancaster County has seen 185 of those cases.
Symptoms of measles can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, with the measles rash developing a few days later.
Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5. The virus can cause brain swelling and pneumonia and, in severe cases, be life-threatening. Nearly 20% of people who get measles are hospitalized, and one to three patients per 1,000 cases die after contracting the virus, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The best protection against measles is getting fully vaccinated, according to health experts; however, as childhood vaccination exemption requests increase and vaccination rates decline, nationwide measles cases are at their highest level in 35 years.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this month calling for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines to be administered separately rather than as the combined MMR vaccine.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first administered between 12 and 15 months and the second between ages 4 and 6.
Pennsylvania residents who may have been exposed to measles or are experiencing symptoms should call the state Department of Health hotline at (877) 724-3258.
For more information, visit the measles page on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website or check for updates at phila.gov/measles.
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