While Allegheny County has yet to see confirmed measles infection among residents, cases across Pennsylvania climbed to more than 1,000 in the second week of October.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported a total of 1,004 confirmed cases measles across the commonwealth on Oct. 5. Pennsylvania leads the country with the most cases of measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It's also the only state that has reported measles-associated deaths this year, with the state reporting its fifth measles-associated death on Sept. 30.
While no cases have been confirmed in Allegheny County, several have been verified in the region.
Here's what to know.
How many measles cases are there in Pennsylvania?
Across Pennsylvania, there had been a total of 1,004 confirmed cases of measles in 2026
as of Oct. 5, according to the state health department, with 106 new cases counted in the past seven days. The state has seen a five measles-associated deaths, accounting for all measles-related deaths in the United States in 2026.
Of all confirmed cases, more than 99% occurred in people who were not fully vaccinated. A total of 198 people had been hospitalized as of Oct. 5, and 32% of infections occurred in people below the age of 18.
Most infections were concentrated in Lancaster County, which had 391 confirmed cases of measles as of Oct. 5. Mifflin had the second most cases with 118 infections, followed by Chester with 84 cases.
Does Pittsburgh have any measles cases?
Pittsburgh had no confirmed measles cases as of Oct. 5. However, 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.
Here's a look at measles cases in the broader Pittsburgh area as of Oct. 5, 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 Oct. 5)
- Fayette: 0
- Lawrence: 0
- Washington: 0
- Westmoreland: 2
Where are measles cases spreading in Pennsylvania? These counties confirm transmission
There's confirmed community transmission of measles in Centre, Chester, Clarion, 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 five measles-associated deaths across the commonwealth as of Oct. 5. Three 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. The fifth person's age and exact manner of death had not been reported as of Oct. 5. None of the individuals were vaccinated, the state department of health said.
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 surpass 1,000. Has outbreak reached Pittsburgh?
