Measles Returns: First US Deaths in Years Confirmed

Two unvaccinated individuals in Pennsylvania have died from measles in 2026, marking the first such fatalities in the United States this year. These deaths are part of a significant measles outbreak centered in Lancaster County, which has also led to 70 hospitalizations and over 390 infections. This outbreak occurs during a year with more reported measles cases than any since the virus was declared eliminated in 2000.

Public health officials attribute the virus's resurgence to declining routine childhood vaccination rates. In some communities, such as a local Amish population in Lancaster County, vaccination rates are significantly lower, with an estimated quarter of the community vaccinated in 2025. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, especially in children, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with fatalities being extremely rare but a serious concern.

While measles deaths are exceptionally uncommon in the modern era, these recent fatalities serve as a stark warning. Two children and one adult died from measles complications in 2025, the first such deaths in a decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective, preventing over 97 percent of infections. There are currently no specific treatments for measles, underscoring the importance of vaccination.