Public health officials in the US warn of rising measles cases and deaths, with outbreaks intensifying in Pennsylvania and across the country as vaccination coverage falls and misinformation spreads.
Public health officials in the US are warning that measles continues to spread as outbreaks
persist in several states, with Pennsylvania among the places drawing close attention. The
state’s health department said on its website that it had recorded 943 measles cases as of
Wednesday, while federal data show the nationwide total had climbed to 3,659 cases by
September 24. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also confirmed two
measles-related deaths this year, up from one earlier in the year, underscoring the seriousness
of a disease once declared eliminated in the United States. According to the CDC, the agency is
still working with state epidemiologists on a standard definition for measles-related deaths.
The latest figures come against a backdrop of falling vaccination coverage and renewed concern
about misinformation around immunisation. In Pennsylvania, officials this month reported four
measles-related deaths among unvaccinated residents, which triggered a public dispute between
Governor Josh Shapiro and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr over whether all of the deaths
were directly caused by the virus. The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees
the CDC, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the additional death.
The disease remains highly contagious and can spread quickly in crowded places. In Los Angeles
County, health officials warned that visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood may have been
exposed after a person with contagious measles was there on July 26. The county advised anyone
who visited the theme park between 10am and 9pm to check their vaccination status, contact a
doctor and watch for symptoms if they were not fully protected. It also said pregnant women,
infants and people with weakened immune systems should seek medical advice regardless of
vaccination history.
Measles usually begins with fever, respiratory symptoms and a rash, but it can also lead to
serious complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation, which may cause lasting harm or
death. The CDC’s historical data show how quickly cases can rise when vaccination levels slip:
from 58 confirmed cases reported in the first weeks of 2024, the tally increased over the year,
and by the end of 2024 the agency had recorded 285 cases across 32 jurisdictions. Public health
experts say that pattern is a reminder that vaccination remains the main defence against a virus
that had once been pushed to the brink of disappearance in the US.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
