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Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is the largest in decades in the U.S.
MS NOW • • health
Key Points:
- Pennsylvania has reported over 1,000 measles cases this year, marking its largest outbreak in more than 30 years, with 198 hospitalizations and five deaths, according to state health officials.
- The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles outbreak since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported nationwide and eight measles-associated deaths over the past two years.
- New York Governor declared a disaster emergency to expand vaccination efforts amid rising cases in neighboring states and rural areas, while Ohio is also facing a significant outbreak, especially in communities with low vaccination rates.
- Health experts link the resurgence of measles to declining vaccination rates, which have fallen below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks, threatening the U.S.'s measles-free status.
- The CDC has recently updated its data to include measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania after initial delays, amid tensions between state officials and federal health leadership over vaccine promotion.
