The United States has reported two more measles deaths in Pennsylvania among unvaccinated patients, while the total number of infections nationwide has surged to its highest point in over 35 years.
Foreign news agencies reported on 25 Aug 2026 that measles, which continues to spread in the U.S., has claimed two more unvaccinated patients in Pennsylvania, while this year's total cases have already surpassed last year's record.
Officials said they will not disclose further details about the identities of the deceased, including whether they were children, despite children being the group most at risk of death and complications from measles.
However, one of the areas with recent measles deaths is Lancaster County, where only 85% of kindergarten children are vaccinated against measles, below the 95% level needed to establish herd immunity to limit outbreaks and protect severely immunocompromised individuals.
Last year, two unvaccinated children in Texas died during a measles outbreak that infected more than 1,000 people in the state, most of whom were children.
So far in 2026, the U.S. has confirmed 2,777 measles cases—the highest number in 35 years—even though only seven months have passed, up from last year's peak of 2,289 cases. Pennsylvania has recorded 393 cases this year.
"This is a serious problem that is worsening across the country and in our state," Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said at a Tuesday press conference. "These illnesses and deaths from measles are entirely preventable."
He added that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best tool to prevent illness and death, but vaccine hesitancy among Americans has increased in recent years, causing immunity rates to decline.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for reduced vaccination in children and suggesting splitting the MMR vaccine into three separate doses, which experts warn could cause confusion about the vaccine's established safety and effectiveness and increase costs.
The United States is at risk of losing its measles elimination status, with a committee set to review and decide in November, while Canada lost this status last year.
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Source:bbc