Weeks after Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. bickered about the Keystone State's measles reporting, measles cases throughout Pennsylvania are continuing to multiply as the end of September approaches.
Cases across the commonwealth increased by more than 100 over the past week as of Sept. 23, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health's measles dashboard. Lancaster County, where two measles-associated deaths were reported in August, was still seeing the most illness, with 342 confirmed cases of measles as of Sept. 23. While no cases had been reported among Allegheny County residents, other counties in the area were seeing additional cases.
Here's what to know.
How many measles cases are there in Pennsylvania?
There were a total
of 835 confirmed cases of measles spread across Pennsylvania as of Sept. 23, with 111 new cases in the past week, according to the state dashboard.
Of those cases, more than 99% occurred in people who were not fully vaccinated, with under 1% occurring in people who were fully vaccinated. A total of 164 people had been hospitalized.
Does Pittsburgh have any measles cases?
Pittsburgh had no confirmed measles cases as of Sept. 23. But patients at UPMC Children's Hospital were exposed to the disease multiple times in August when out-of-county individuals who were infected with the virus visited the hospital, according to the county health department.
Exposures took place on Aug. 12 and Aug. 18 when a patient visited the hospital's emergency department, with additional exposures occurring on Aug. 27.
On Aug. 27, multiple groups at UPMC Children's were exposed to the virus, officials said, including those in the Giraffe/Hippo Waiting Room on the third floor from 1 to 4 p.m.; the Giraffe Clinic on the third floor from 2 to 5 p.m.; the cafeteria on the 3rd floor from 3 to 5 p.m.; the main lobby on the first floor from 1 to 5 p.m.; and the Grape/Purple Elevators from 1 to 5 p.m.
Here's a look at measles cases in the broader Pittsburgh area as of Sept. 23, the last day the state's measles dashboard was updated:
- Allegheny: 0
- Armstrong: 2
- Beaver: 0
- Butler: 1 (diagnosed on Aug. 25 according to hospital spokesperson; not reported by state dashboard as of Sept. 23)
- Fayette: 0
- Lawrence: 0
- Washington: 0
- Westmoreland: 2
Where are measles cases spreading in Pennsylvania?
There's confirmed community transmission of measles in Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Indiana, Jefferson, Lancaster, Mifflin, Snyder, Somerset, Union and York counties, according to the state department of health.
How many measles deaths have there been in 2026?
Pennsylvania's department of health had confirmed four measles-associated deaths across the commonwealth as of Sept. 23. Two of the individuals lived in Lancaster County, one resided in Jefferson County and the fourth was from Mifflin County, according to health department officials.
The first two deaths, both infants, according to NPR, were confirmed by the state on Aug. 25. The state confirmed two more deaths on Sept. 15. The third and fourth deaths involved a 40-year-old woman with an active infection and an 18-year-old with a rare neurological complication from measles, NPR reported. None of the individuls were vaccinated.
Before 2026, there had been no measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania in about 35 years, according to health department officials.
How does measles spread? How contagious is it?
Measles spreads through the air when a sick person breathes, coughs or sneezes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after a person who is sick with the virus leaves the area. It's extremely contagious and can sicken up to nine out of 10 people who come into close contact with an infected person if they aren't protected against the virus.
Unvaccinated people are most at risk of catching the disease. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine provides about 97% immunity from measles, according to the CDC. Young children typically don't get their second dose until they reach four to six years of age, leaving them with about 93% protection against the disease. Infants generally don't get their first dose until they're 12 to 15 months old.
The CDC notes that infants between the ages of six and 11 months can get a dose of the vaccine if they're going to travel outside of the U.S., though they should still get two additional doses at the recommended ages to provide long-term protection.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles symptoms generally appear within seven to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus, according to the CDC, though the incubation period can last up to 21 days. Symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth and a rash that begins on the face at the hairline and moves downward on the body.
The virus can also cause numerous complications, including ear infections, diarrhea, lasting immune system damage, hospitalization, pneumonia, encephalitis, pregnancy problems and death.
People who believe they were exposed to measles and are experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider. Allegheny County residents who are worried about possible exposures should call Allegheny County Health Department at 412-687-2243. Residents throughout Pennsylvania who are concerned about potential exposures should call the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH. Pennsylvanians can access the measles dashboard, current guidance and additional information at pa.gov/measles.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: PA measles cases jump again, but virus is still skipping Allegheny
