“My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss,” Pennsylvania Health Secretary Debra Bogen said. “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.”

Bogen urged Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated, calling the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine “safe” and the “best protection we have against measles.”

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses and can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling. Nearly 20% of people who contract measles are hospitalized, according to the Department of Health. Deaths are rare but occur in roughly 1 to 3 cases per 1,000 infections.

The virus spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Early symptoms include fever, cough, a runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash typically develops several days later, beginning on the head and spreading downward. Symptoms can appear seven to 21 days after exposure.

The Department of Health advises people who develop symptoms or believe they have been exposed to measles to contact a healthcare provider promptly, as the illness can initially resemble other respiratory infections.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE IMPENDING US-CANADA TRADE WAR

The deaths in Pennsylvania come as measles cases have surged nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in June that U.S. measles cases had already surpassed the total recorded in 2025, reaching the highest level in 35 years.

The resurgence has also raised questions about whether the United States could lose its measles elimination status, which it has held since 2000. The Pan American Health Organization is scheduled to conduct an international review of the country’s elimination status in November.